Matthew – God’s Purposes
Randy and I are in the last few weeks of working at Santa Cruz Children’s Learning Center with all kinds of children, younger and older, all precious humans created by God for His glory, honor and praise. I stop in the busyness of teaching at times to realize what a privilege it is to be invited to God’s work of growing and maturing His created to be and do all that they were designed to be. We pause and look into the eyes of each one and wonder what God is doing and will do in their lives and how they will follow Him. Even when we have to correct and confront behavior that will lead them to “crash”, we love, pray, forgive and ask blessings on their lives. We ask God for His wisdom for each day, His insight and His understanding so we can help in the best ways.
The disciples didn’t want to stop in the busyness of the work, but Jesus quickly taught them that is imperative to stop, smile, hug and bless those God has created, for this IS the work of growing and maturing in the faith. He reminds them that the foundation of faith in God is compared to the trusting, unconditional love and faith of a child to older, more mature caregivers.
Children look up to us, as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers and coaches for love and help, trusting in us to deliver. Jesus tells us we should not “look down on these little ones”. We should BEND down to our children, look them in the eyes, and deliver what they need most…love and acceptance, as was given to us from Our Father in heaven.
This passage opens with “parents brought their children to Jesus…” Oh, how I pray for parents to bring their children to Jesus today! I immediately think of what God commanded, not suggested, of parents who were ready to enter the promised land of God…TEACH your children about Me and what I have done for you “and all will go well with you”. “So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.
22 “Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him. (Deuteronomy 11, NLT)
I love the pictures that artists have given to us of Jesus sitting down as He blesses the children as He goes about His mission. I imagine our Savior settling down on the grass or on a rock so the children could crawl into His lap and hug Him tightly for that is what children instinctively do when you sit down on their level.
Oh, what a Savior! Oh, what a lesson for us to meditate on all day long. Want to be like Jesus? Bend down and be a blessing. Stop your “mission” and love on your children and the children God has put in front of you.
Matthew 19, NLT
Jesus Blesses the Children
13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” 15 And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for inviting us to Your work while teaching us how to be a help to the growth of those who are young in the faith. Continue to show us your priorities as we go about your work. I pray for parents all over the world to bring their children to You for your blessing.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 