Jesus knows we have questions here. How can an adult become like a child? That is why he now speaks with extra emphasis. He even uses the word Amen
here. This means: Pay close attention; let what I am about to say truly sink in. Realize that what I am telling you is of vital importance. A person can only enter the kingdom of God by willingly receiving it.
The word receive
is the key to understanding Jesus' words. No one enters the kingdom of God through their own piety, through their own good works. That is truly impossible. Now, grown-ups, take a good look at those little children in my arms. They have accomplished nothing in this life. They have simply been brought to me. They could not come on their own. And now they receive my blessing. And know that they belong to the kingdom of God, through me. Do you understand what this means? A person has to learn to be willing to receive what they do not have.
We need to learn to stretch out our hands to Jesus. The gate to the kingdom of God opens up through him. Only in this way will the kingdom of God come within our reach (see also Luke 17:21).
17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”