Children matter

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TODAY’S SPECIAL: Matthew 18:1-14

TO CHEW ON: “'Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.'” Matthew 14:5


Has it ever happened that as you sat quietly in your seat in church one Sunday, a family with children came and sight right beside you or behind you? Suddenly your peaceful morning became restless with those wee ones not able to sit still, asking for snacks, kicking the back of your seat with their little shoes.  (And I’m talking here about someone else's children, not your own or your grand-kids.)

How did you feel? Be honest. Was there not a glimmer of irritation? At the least a tiny a sigh of annoyance? At such times Matthew 18:1-14 would be a good bit to read and remember. In it Jesus invited a child to join him at center stage. Then He gave a little talk based on this living illustration. Some of His points:

• You need to become humble like a child to be great in the kingdom of heaven - Matthew 18:3,4.

• Receiving a child in My (Jesus’) name is equivalent to welcoming Me - Matthew 18:5.

• Enticing a believing child to sin is super-serious - Matthew 18:6-9.

• Despising one of these little ones puts you at odds with the paradigm of heaven where their angels have continuous access to Father God - Matthew 18:10.

• Lost children are worth going to great lengths to save—God doesn’t want even one to stay lost - Matthew 18:11-14.

I’m going to remind myself of Matthew 18:1-14 next time I’m tempted to be irritated by kids racing down church corridors, leaving a mess, making too much noise, just being kids. Will you join me? Jesus loves them; let’s love them too!

PRAYER: Dear Father, I need to remember what it felt like to be a child. I need patience, kindness and Your point of view about children. Help me to see and love them as You do. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.