The disciples, like most Jewish men of that time, had strong views as to who they thought was important.  The "batting order" would have been priests, religious leaders, men, women, children and then Gentiles.  The expression, ‘Children should be seen and not heard’ is attributed to a 15th century English cleric - perpetuating the idea which is still prominent in many cultures.  

Children were important in Bible days.  They were seen as the result of God’s blessing, and a joy to the family and provision for the parent’s old age (Psalm 127:3-5).  But, after the initial religious rites, children had no independent social identity.  When people brought babies and children to Jesus, the disciples thought that He was too important to be troubled by such lowly little people.  But the Master rebuked them.  Far from sending the children away, He invited them to come to Him and told His trainee apostles that they were wrong to prevent them.

In saying, "… the kingdom of God belongs to such as these", He did not mean that all His followers could only be children or that they were immature or naive people.  He was teaching the adults something very important.  Christ-less religion demands clever or mystical understanding, complex rituals or slavish adherence to a dogma.  Children cannot do all that.  Instead, Jesus said that His followers needed to have the child-like trust which accepts truthful authority and obeys.  So, in saying that people who "… will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it", Jesus meant that entry into His kingdom was only by believing, accepting, trusting and obeying what He says.  This by no means degrades His message or His kingdom but makes His kingdom accessible to anyone who chooses to believe the Word of God and trust in Jesus.

In many cultures today, people are graded according to their academic or workplace qualifications.  So, it is a relief to know that the King of kings and Lord of lords does not require us to do more exams to enter Heaven but simply to trust what He has already said and done on the cross!  But for those who boast of their religious progress or intellect, these words come as something of a shock.  The truth is, we can never climb our way to Heaven through our clever thoughts or work our way there through our pious deeds.  As Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no-one can boast."  It was just that sort of boasting which had got the religious people into trouble with Jesus in the previous paragraph (Luke 18:9-14); only child-like faith is acceptable for entry into His kingdom. It is worth reflecting on what basis you believe God will accept you.  If you are in doubt, please see www.crosscheck.org.uk and share it with your friends.