Imitators of Christ

(our theme for October)

Mark 10: 13-16  

People were bringing little children to HIm in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them.  But when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for to such as these the kingdom of God belongs.  Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

Wow!

So many angles here!

As adults let’s not make this too difficult.  We must come to Jesus in humility to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  As Jesus told Jarius, “Only believe!”  We are not expected to be omniscient, only God is!  We are not expected to understand every aspect of the Bible, as Jesus said again, “Only believe.”

The disciples' attitude was one of the times where children were thought of as an insignificant part of society.  But that was not Jesus’ vision.  He saw them as a neglected segment of the population that also needed his attention, thus the rebuke.

Many times I am dumbfounded by the attitudes found in our society.  Didn’t people go to Sunday school as a child?  With their adult behaviors apparently not.  Didn’t they sing: “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world!  Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight!  Jesus loves the little children of the world!”  That is foundational!  How can that song not be in grownups' hearts??  I don’t know.

Dr. T. Berry Brazelton tells us if we don’t establish expectations in children by age twelve, we’re going to have a tough time after that.  That’s why those formative years are so important.  Let’s encourage our children in life, support them.  Show them the way.

I know that childhood.  I could count on Mrs. Culp in my elementary days Sunday School.  She was there every Sunday.  Sharing her love, her kindness, her smile.  Obviously she had a tremendous positive impact on me.  More than I am sure she ever knew.  But this I do know, if there for sure is anyone in Heaven, it’s Mrs. Culp.

We can all be that Mrs. Culp to a child in our own way.  They need us to lead them, to guide them to show them the way.  You can take an active role and volunteer in your own Sunday School.  I know I taught Sunday School for many, many years. Or maybe your way is to support the school, charity or food bank of your choice.  Whatever it is, do it, because Jesus saw the value in it!  

It’s not just the little children, our youth and young adults need us too!  Research shows the human brain only reaches full maturity in some by age 24!  The world is so different now with access to cyberspace and all its traps and snares of misinformation and disinformation.  They need us now more than ever!

Let us pray: 

Living and loving God, send your Holy Spirit to help us guide your children.  Fortify us to shine our light, our Christian light to lead the way.  Lift our voices, our Christian voices to talk the Christian talk, and walk the walk with Jesus! Amen  

This devotional written and recorded by Sam Barto.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.