Jesus was angry with his disciples because they turned the gospel of free grace into a message of human effort, status, and ability. They were giving the wrong impression about the kingdom. They were misrepresenting the grace and character of God.
We must be careful that we do not do likewise today. When we exclude certain people from church, we are distorting the message about the kingdom of God. When we exclude children, when we exclude people based on race or language, when we exclude the elderly or the poor or those whom we do not like, we are busy with the same sin as the disciples. If we do these things, we are busy saying that we get to decide who the promises of God are for. We have no right to do so. The gospel must be proclaimed to all nations and all people.
15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”