Tag: Children

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Barriers to God.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Do you want to make God angry? Just create barriers to not allow people to experience Him! And most importantly, do not do anything, say anything or misrepresent God to CHILDREN. Jesus’ popularity as a Rabbi meant that parents (read mothers) were thrilled to just have Jesus smile at their kids, and speak a blessing over them.

Ya know, this is supposed to be a priority as a parent – getting your children to Jesus. This nonsense of letting children choose everything for themselves is awful. “Oh, we don’t teach religion, because we want them to choose for themselves.” “Oh, we let the children decide their morals, their choices for good or bad.” What a load of donkey-crock. Mark’s gospel points out that parents were doing what parents are supposed to do. They brought their children to Jesus for him to touch them, to physically bless them.

But the disciples strong-armed and scolded the parents for this. Did they think that Jesus was too busy? That there were more important people he should be spending time with? We don’t know. But Jesus wasn’t going to let it go. When he saw what the disciples were doing, he was (aganakteó) to grieved/indignant! Speaking to his disciples, Jesus said, release them to come (positive) and do not (kóluó) hinder (negative) them. Why? Because littles like these are the true owners of the Kingdom of God. In fact, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God in similar fashion as these children will never enter it!

Mark writes, “then Jesus (enagkalizomai) to take into one’s arms, to embrace them!” Jesus placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. There are basically two words for “bless” in the Greek. One is to make happy (makarios) the other to speak good words over (eulogeó: to speak well of, praise). Jesus spoke good words over the children that day.

Why would someone prevent a child or adult from coming to Jesus? I don’t think folks do it on purpose. The disciples thought they were being helpful to the busy Savior. They were not helpful. Some think that others might not be worthy enough, holy enough, or good enough to be in Jesus presence. Many thought this of the sex-worker woman who washed Jesus feet with her tears. The religious thought it improper for such a sinner to have contact with a holy representative of God. Lots of folks think others should clean themselves up or get their life together BEFORE approaching Jesus. The children weren’t unworthy, they were innocent.

As the Church, we have propagated so many barriers with our religious preferences, that we had a generation tag us with “Church hurts.” Church should not hurt! Of course it is bound to happen, because we are human, but we should also be ready to repent or say we’re sorry. For any and all the barriers we block those who simply want to come to Jesus and be blessed.

In another conversation, I brought up all the things we do as adults that cause barriers preventing children from really seeing Jesus. Because, to a child, we represent authority and a sense of what is supposed to be right. When adults misbehave or selfishly choose to follow their own will and ways, children are watching and it creates a fracture, a moral dilemma in their hearts. All they see is the hypocrisy and it takes a ton of grace to erase those episodes from their soul. We want to be people that let children get to Jesus! Even further, we can actually do what Jesus does – speak good words over a child!

Prayer

Dad,
I love this story, this scene so much. I am a huge fan of adults who see children as you do. Seeing them as innocent and open, curious and hopeful, playful and full of joy. And to know how quickly that season passes. Our challenge, my challenge is to foster those qualities in them as well as in our big-people, adult lives, to receive the Kingdom of God with wide-eyed wonder. Let it be so Oh Lord! Amen.

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When God goes silent.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

““The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord. People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from border to border searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it. Beautiful girls and strong young men will grow faint in that day, thirsting for the Lord’s word.” Amos‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Amos isn’t famous, rich or educated, but he just had enough of Israel’s abundant flaunting of wealth and hubristic treatment of the poor. Being a shepherd and a fig tree farmer didn’t stop him from hearing from God, putting together his sermons and messages about what he heard and delivering it in Bethel, where there was a large temple.

Israel, under Jeroboam 2, had become extremely powerful and wealthy. The king had won a lot of battles and secured Israel’s borders so that everyone prospered. Everyone, except the poor. The rich got richer and the poor not only got poorer, they became slaves to the wealthy families. And because they were poor, there was no representation or help when cheated in transactions. All the while, the Jewish well to do continued to go to temple, pay their taxes, and party hard in the religious celebrations. And, worst of all the people did all of this while experiencing and expanding their worship of idols. In the people’s eyes, the nation was flourishing and the wealthy were happy to add Jehovah to a list of other gods as a part of their cultural, religious experiences.

This average Amos guy comes into town with big warnings and harsh words for the privileged and those who just wanted to live the good life without giving a second thought to God or his rules. Earlier in chapter 8, God shows Amos a basket of ripe fruit, figs most likely. God says that the ripe fruit represents the people being ripe for judgment. In one verse God says “You can’t wait for the Sabbath day to be over and the religious festivals to end so you can get back to cheating the helpless. You measure out grain with dishonest measures and cheat the buyer with dishonest scales.” (8:5‬). Just normal folks, playing a dangerous game of living high while behaving horribly to their fellow (poor) Israelites.

In these verses, God tells Amos, the next big famine that God will send on them will be worse than the ones before. What is worse than a food famine or a disastrous drought? God will quit speaking. There will not be any words, no communication, no messages from heaven – God goes silent. If we lined up all the Old Testament prophets, the spokespersons for God, they were all speaking, warning, pronouncing both judgment and hope. Most of them were murdered to subdue their silence. This time, God would go silent for 400 years! From Malachi to Matthew, God did not speak.

What happened in that time period? The world experienced a mini apocalypse, just a foretaste of what men of war and humanity would be like without God intervening or speaking. Just a note, in the future God will not be silent. You would think that the non-God crowd, the atheists or pantheists would celebrate. But the world got very dark, brutal and wicked. Honest historians admit, this period of time led to the worse treatment of humans and the poor ever! People who think Judaism is restrictive, or that Christianity is a straitjacket of thought, morality, and science – even promoting sexism, patriarchal oppression and hate, does not know history. This period of time, the 400 years of silence was a free for all of power, wealth, abuse and domination over the weak, the poor.

It was the worse time in history to be a woman or a child! Read Tom Holland’s book, Dominion. Holland, an atheist himself, concludes that Christ and Christianity was the turning point and salvation of human morality and treatment of the poor, the weak – especially for women, children and the family structure. Modern culture seems to beg for the removal of constraints and restrictions of Christianity, of any sense of God, but we do so to our own peril, our own destruction.

Prayer

Dad,
I feel the conviction and passion of Amos’ words even today. Our “king” and country is wealthy. And, I see a lot of folks pursue whatever god promises the biggest financial bonus or fame. I also do my Sunday duties and too often continue to treat the outliers and outcasts with disdain. Father God, you’d prefer mercy over sacrifice wouldn’t you? I also know that I tend to focus on things that perpetuate instead of prevent further harm or injustices. I need the boldness of Amos’ passion to work first in me. I don’t need to look far from my own frailties. Forgive me. Help me Holy Spirit; to yield and move towards you, not away from you. In you, Oh Lord, will I find right living, peace and joy! Amen.

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Tripping up a child’s innocence.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus, answering the disciple’s question, puts a child in front of them and that child becomes an object lesson for his answer. The disciples ask about greatness. Presupposing that Jesus’ kingdom is similar to the great kingdom of King David or even Solomon, it makes sense that the guys would want to know about the royal positions available to be filled. The royal court works on a hierarchy of authority, power and influence. Thinking that Jesus is forming his cabinet as he plans to take over Rome to rule as the promised successor, the messiah that ushers in God’s plan to restore Israel to greatness, they excitedly wait for the answer. Maybe Jesus wouldn’t just talk about positions, he might throw in some hints about the men he’s thinking about appointing to those high places. They must have been so eager to hear his answer.

When Jesus pulled in a child, probably a young boy, and stood him in their midst, they must have been confused. “Who’s this, they might have thought to themselves?” Some random child, we’ve never seen, is going to become the next chancellor (chaplain), chamberlain and or marshal? But Jesus doesn’t intend to install this young child to a future position. In fact, the child already has a highly regarded and treasured position in the Kingdom of God – he’s an innocent kid! He’s not sinless, but he certainly has sinned less than the adult disciples!

In vs 10, Jesus even says that the children have a special protection, ever-watchful eyes of angels that have God’s full attention saying, “their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.” I’m not sure the focus is so much about, being just “like a child,” as it is a harsh warning to watch out for, watch over how one should treat the innocent, the fragile faith of those who are more pure and unprotected. Of course, as adults, we gravitate towards the childlike faith ideals, but Jesus is discussing something far more serious.

Jesus starts by telling his guys to turn from their own sin. Why? Because, it’s well known, but paid little regard – adults, in their pursuit of their own sin cause irreparable damage on the most innocent among us. Haven’t you noticed? How could we not see it? Adults can be full on predators and perpetrators in their own selfish pursuits of getting what they want! The “freedoms” we propose always spiral down to destroy the innocence of the children we are supposed to protect! It’s not just straight out child abuse, abandonment or neglect either. It’s adults making decisions that make a child’s life and home unsafe or filled with chaos and trauma. Adults want their drugs, their drinks, their pleasures, their partners, their addictions and what does the child get? Pain. Confusion. Instability. Adults want and get their “choices,” that children are forced to live with and try to figure out what’s right and wrong on their own.

Of course there are good parents and good adults, but no one is perfect. Jesus made a startling statement when he said, “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.” He said this right after the famous mafia threat to any who would purposely harm a child – harm a kid and be fitted for a cement necklace to be drown in Lake Tahoe (or Galilee). Even Jesus conversation about losing an eye or hand that sins is directly connected to the evils of playing life so loose that you lead a child down a dark path of death with you.

We want to be great in God’s kingdom? We need to be more conscious, more consistent and careful of who we are and what we do when little eyes are watching and little ears are listening! And, for the love of God – quit pitching our “adult” freedoms to sin as possible life-choices for our little ones! God is watching. Being like a child is being extra careful around those who are childlike, those who are simple and innocent in their faith.

Prayer

Dad,
I saw far too much as a child. Far too much chaos, pain, addiction and broken promises. I heard too much angry, foul language. I did not feel safe or protected. And in observing hundreds of children of foster care, those who were tortured, starved and abandoned, I witnessed the effects of what you hate, what you have warned us about. Our sin has its own consequences. But even worse, it can destroy the little lives around us. Help us God. Rescue the Fatherless and uphold the weak with your strength. Protect our children from our adult sins! Amen.

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Scraps for the scrappy

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15‬:‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Matthew sets us up with a rare treat when Jesus travels to these two Gentile areas. I say rare, because Jesus almost exclusively stayed within Jewish territories. Here, while escaping the constant harassment of the Pharisees, Jesus and his friends escape to some of the most beautiful rural scenery. It’s there that a Syro-Phoenician woman, a Canaanite, approaches Jesus.

Matthew helps us compare this woman’s “story of the one,” with the verses that follow in vs. 29-31. The seemingly forced conversation over one little Canaanite girl being healed and the multitude of healings of the Jewish people in vs. 31 – “A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all.”

The shocker, after the mother begged Jesus for mercy, Jesus was SILENT. One commentator wrote, “Christ silent to a sufferer’s cry is a paradox which contradicts the whole gospel story.” and, he’s right. It feels unsettling. There were protocols and mission, purpose and intention behind every action that Jesus took! Here, we get a glimpse of God’s singularity to hold true to a promise made to the people of Israel. His favored people had priority of timing and revelation of what God was doing in these few years compared to centuries of preparation. Jesus’ silence was painful for all present.

The disciples, both showing some disdain for the woman and a sense of protectiveness over Jesus, blurted out – breaking the awkwardness of the moment. Dismiss her! (a word specifically used of divorcing a marital partner) She is croaking or shrieking too loudly. Jesus finally speaks and says, “I was (apostelló) sent on a defined mission by God the Father and it is to the people of Israel.” Jesus was always ON MISSION.

The dilemma was clear. Does Jesus veer off course for one cursed and suffering mother and child? Would Jesus then have to follow her into her neighborhood, exorcise a demon and deal with all the others suffering nearby? Would there be another healing mob, all of which would be Gentiles? It wasn’t meant to be cruel, it was to express the seriousness of Jesus’ own purpose and obedience to that calling. It would seem odd to us, but Jesus, having the wisdom and urgency of God’s will over his own, knew that even one misstep could have unintended consequences.

But then the woman threw herself at his feet, worshipping and pleading saying, come, rescue me! This moved Jesus to NOT send her away just yet, but instead gave her a reason for his hesitation to get involved. He gives her an illustration of how difficult it would be to fulfill her request. Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” Even though it sounds like Jesus is calling her and her kind, dogs compared to Jewish children. It wasn’t like that at all. Jesus was comparing to the different loves in a family household: the beloved children and the beloved family pet. Both are loved! Certainly, if a choice had to be made of which one lives and which one dies of starvation, the child would take priority. The thought of a parent taking food out of the starving mouth of their child and then turn, and throw it down to the family pet would be considered a horrible act of abuse. Jesus really did a good job framing the true struggle behind his decision. First he had her pleading for mercy. Then she recognizes who he is by calling out his God-given lineage, connected to Israel’s greatest king. Then she falls at his feet worshipping him! Come on… this is very intense and real.

Ah, but then the woman says something that goes above and beyond the average person begging God for help. She basically says, “Oh, I would never be so bold to think I am worthy of taking the bread from a child’s mouth, but I don’t need the whole bread. I only need the crumbs that may fall as the bread is eaten! I’m not greedy and I know my place, my station in life. I’m just asking for the bits of crumbs that may fall.”

Jesus was obviously impressed with this woman’s faith. Jesus told her that her faith was great and her daughter was healed. God loves it when we cry out to Him. He loves it when we worship and humble ourselves before Him. But, boy oh boy, God really loves our FAITH. And that faith moves the heart of God.

Prayer

Dad,
Wow, I’d really love to have the kind of faith that this woman had! And, I believe that a mother’s prayer, a mom’s request, has got to be the most powerful kind of prayers! Thank you God for momma’s and their faith.

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When God feels distant.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“O God, do not be silent! Do not be deaf. Do not be quiet, O God. Don’t you hear the uproar of your enemies? Don’t you see that your arrogant enemies are rising up? They devise crafty schemes against your people; they conspire against your precious ones.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭83‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Asaph records this Psalm after the Assyrian army tore through the land, wiping out almost everything and everyone. Asaph’s basic prayer is “God do something!” The enemy is loud and arrogant, he says. Can’t you hear them… because we sure do! It is hard to watch wars and evil atrocities rise up then, in ancient times, and now in modern times. We face enemies within and enemies without. We are constantly fed news telling us – someone or something is always after us. Bombings in other countries and violence, either in weather or crazy mobs here at home.

I can hear myself asking God similar questions. “Don’t you hear the uproar?” There seems to be a basic baseline of irritability and incivility. News about levels of uncertainty are rising. Why would a woman, simply denied a refund at a clothing store, go home and return with a rifle? We are all desperate for someone to intervene. Politicians and police are not going to do it.

I agree with Asaph! God, we need you to not be silent, but to rise up. Isaiah prophesied in 59:19, “So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” God, we are flooded with evil all around and it’s overwhelming. Help us. Save us. Show up in your mighty mercy and grace to stop the rising tide of chaos, anarchy and instability. Asaph asked God to “scatter them [the enemy] like tumbleweed, like chaff before the wind!” in verse 13. Come near to us Oh God!

Prayer

Dad,
We are not better than anyone else in this country, but my concern is not just for those who walk with you. My heart breaks for the wickedness towards the innocent, our children our poor, our seniors and widows who struggle. There are insidious plans laid out for our littles one – destroy those plans! There are pressures and financial struggles for the poor and those on fixed income – rush to their aid! Give us wisdom and courage with effective plans to help them. Give us leaders who make wise decisions of justice and remove those who are in it for personal gain and selfish agendas. Rise up Oh God!