Let the Children Come

The society in Malawi treat their children more like children would have been treated in Jesus’ day than the way we treat our children in America.  In America we chase our children from one event to another. We make sure they get nice things and that they receive a quality education.  We schedule our lives around our children and their activities.  This is not the case in Malawi.  Children are allowed to do their own thing as long as they do not get in the way of adults.  Older children spend more time raising younger children than the parents do. Education is not important, so few go to school.  They are just tolerated until they get old enough to contribute to the family by helping with the family plot of land. 

Jesus often went against the culture.  He spoke to women and Samaritans.  He touched the unclean.  He spent time with tax collectors.  None of these things were acceptable for Jewish men, especially religious leaders. One day when the sick were being brought to him to be healed, people began to bring their children to Jesus so he could touch them.  The disciples rebuked those in line with their children.  Jesus heard them and said, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14)

Jesus went against culture to show love to those who were considered a burden.  In our culture we value our own children.  We treat them as royalty.  However, many times we view other people’s children as a burden. Humbling ourselves to love the children who do not respect us the way our children do is sometimes difficult. I’m sure that the children brought to Jesus were not well-behaved angels.  Yet, he loved them and used them to illustrate a child-like faith.

On Monday we begin Vacation Bible School (VBS).  It is our opportunity as a church to love children the way Jesus loved them.  Pray for our workers as well as each child that God brings into our care.  We have a great opportunity this year to have foster families not associated with our church coming for training.  We will get the privilege of loving these children who come from difficult places. Pray for wisdom as we minister to each child.  Pray for our workers to have wisdom in presenting the Gospel and the truth of God’s Word.  We all have a responsibility to help children come to Jesus.  Find your place and let’s show the love of Jesus Christ with arms wide open.

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