Jesus made it quite clear in Matthew chapter 18 the attitude we should have toward the little children.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:6)
God desires that we understand just how deeply He cares for the children.
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And He laid His hands on them and departed from there. (Matthew 19:14-15)
Jesus tells a story about a man attacked by robbers on his journey from Jerusalem to Jericho. The man is stripped of his clothes and belongings, beaten, and left half dead.
Many children have suffered a similar fate along their journey in life. They have been stripped of their decency, their dignity, their homes, their belongings and have been left half dead emotionally, bleeding of heart wounds, and left crying in the night of trauma through no fault of their own.
They are crying desperate and urgent cries. How many are listening? Will we hear, reach down, bandage up their wounded hearts, and take them to places of refuge? Have we been callous of the true needs of the children in our own community?
In Jesus’s story, a priest happens upon the man lying half-dead along the side of the road and does nothing to help. Instead, he passes him by on the other side of the road. A Levite also comes upon the man and also chooses to walk on the other side of the road. It’s not until a Samaritan reaches the injured man that he is rescued. The Samaritan dresses the man’s wounds pours on the oil and wine and take him to an inn. There he pays the innkeeper money towards his care and offers to cover remaining expenses incurred when he returns (see Luke 10:25-37).
This is such a simple story, yet it so clearly illustrates what love and compassion is really all about. True godliness comes forth from the heart. James shares with us, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). Notice the first need James brings up is to “visit orphans”.
Has God stirred your heart today? Have you considered ways you can reach out to the younger generation of this world? Do you have money to help buy coats for those children who have none?
Would you be willing to volunteer your time to make a difference in the lives of struggling children and youth? Could you be a mentor? Will you battle for them in prayer? Do you hear the hearts of those children crying out for a home and a family of their own? Perhaps you could adopt a child or take in foster children.
Are you unknowingly forbidding the little children to come to Jesus because taking in a child seems just too much? Will you pray today about how you can help the children and youth? The need is very real.
– Bruce Koch
Bruce Koch is president of the Gospel Tramway. He is an author, intercessor, chaplain, pastor, teacher, and preacher of God’s word. He resides in San Marcos, Texas with his wife Sherry and son Ethan.
http://www.gospeltramway.com
