18:15-17
In fact, having just had a parable on how not to be happy in the kingdom of God. Ie there is a human delight when we think we are better than others, the previous parable has shown that that is an utter delusion. Now we get a parable on how we should be happy in the kingdom of God. We receive the kingdom like little children. People were bringing babies to Jesus for Him to bless them. The disciples tried to put a stop to this. Why? Perhaps they thought Jesus had more important things to be doing, they didn’t think these mothers should be bothering Jesus with the babies. Jesus tells them that the kingdom belongs to “such as these”. So the wisdom of the time would have said that the Pharisees were important and right with God, while the tax collector certainly was not right with God, and the babies were of little importance. Jesus turned all this on its head.
So to be happy in the kingdom we come as little children, coming with a trustful attitude, just looking to receive from God because of His goodness.
18:18-20
Well surely the rich must be in the kingdom of God? Not necessarily! A ruler came and asked Jesus what he had to do in order to inherit eternal life. The man was probably a ruler of a local synagogue, or possibly a member of the Sanhedrin. He probably had not given much thought to calling Jesus “Good” teacher, but Jesus immediately picked up on it. Why does He do this? It is to do with the qualifications for entering the kingdom. The basic requirement, without Jesus, is that we are good enough (which of course no one is), and getting the man to realise this is where the whole encounter is going. So Jesus lists a few of the Ten Commandments.
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