Snapshot of the Kingdom

Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. [Doesn't this appear to be a (the) primary attribute God looks for as He seeks someone to bless and exalt?] 1Pe 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

In Mat 18 Jesus further describes. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 3 "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. [He not only says, "unless you be converted" but also, "unless you become little-child-like." Apparently, "conversion" includes & requires becoming as a little child.]

Jesus, in Mark 10, responds pointedly when the little ones who are attracted to Him irritate the disciples. 14 WEYMOUTH Jesus... said to them, "Let the little children come to me: do not hinder them; for to those who are childlike the Kingdom of God belongs. 15 In solemn truth I tell you that no one who does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will by any possibility enter it." [In Vs 16 Jesus establishes His pattern.] 16 Then He took them in His arms and blessed them lovingly, one by one, laying His hands upon them.

One chapter earlier, Jesus had illustrated a similar point in the same way. Mar 9:35 And He sat down and called the Twelve [apostles], and He said to them, If anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all. 36 And He took a little child and put him in the center of their group; and taking him in His arms...

Jesus' remarkable kingdom-snapshot: ...Do not hinder the children from coming to me... this is the picture of the kingdom, this captures the kingdom! ...And 1) one by one, He took them in His arms, ... and 2) lovingly He blessed them!

We so often seek the blessing from afar. (In truth, my "seeking the blessing" would seem to indicate that I have not "cast the care...") Conclusion: don't desire and reach for the blessing, seek the embrace. The blessing naturally follows. Selah! \o/