New International Version (NIV)
13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to
place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children
come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such
as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went
on from there.
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2019:%2013-15&version=NIV)
I have come to the conclusion that most of the disciples were not family men. They thought it was easier to be single than to get married and they really didn’t know how to handle children. I believe these men were this way because God had other plans for them plans to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Being disciples of Christ did not allow these men to do anything else. It didn’t allow them to be family men, just as Jesus said in Matthew 8: 19 – 20 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%208:19-20&version=NIV) . So when the little children came along they had no idea how to act. They thought they were just a bother and needed to be sent on but Jesus had other plans for the little children. He made sure He touched each and every one of them before traveling on. By doing this He set an example to both the disciples and to us.
Yesterday I saw a news story about a lady that was harassed by children on a school bus. They said very mean things to her and acted very unbecomingly towards her. They showed her absolutely no respect. I had to wonder, would these children have acted this way towards this woman if someone would have taken the time to touch them when they were younger? It is so easy to blame the parents who of course are the primary caregivers and the responsibility lies on them. However, you have to wonder if anyone touched them as children. It is a cycle, one that needs to be broken. Families are growing up children who do not know the Lord. When we realize the problem is not with the parents or the schools we should be challenged that we need to do our part.
So many are quit to say that it is the public school system as to why we do not have children knowing the Lord. As a child I remember saying a prayer in school before we went to lunch. That doesn’t happen today. Scripture was also read in schools years ago. Do you know why those scripture readings quit? It is my understanding that it was because the Protestants and Catholics could not agree on which Bible should be read, the Catholic version or the Protestant version. Because of this the church (both Catholic and Protestant) decided they would take on the Christian education of the children upon their shoulders. Now, look at where we are today. We have everyone blaming parents and the school system in not teaching children good moral ethics. Yet, we all know the way to have good moral ethics is to live a life worthy of the calling of Jesus Christ. We can all be good people but without communion with Jesus Christ, our lives are meaningless and even evil.
The question today, “What are you doing to touch the lives of children?” Touching a child and teaching them about Jesus Christ and their hope for the future is like taking time to smell the roses.
As you seek Him and find Him may you have a strong desire to share Him with others.
Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila
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