JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN!

Matthew 18:1-14  -  Brace yourself for violent content! 

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  [Did they have their thumbs under their suspenders while asking this?]

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. [Gasp!]  Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!

If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away.  [Shock!]  It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. [Sucking air!]  It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.  [The New English Bible uses the term 'Guardian Angels']

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

We serve a God who has a special heart for children.  Their guardian angels have constant access to His throne!

It is essential to understand the Jewish attitude toward children in 1st century Palestine if we are to grasp the full force of Jesus' teaching here.

In the present day, we tend to idealize childhood as the happy age of innocence, carefreeness, and simple faith, but in New Testament times the child was considered of no importance, meriting little attention or favor.  "Children in that society had no status at all - they did not count."  [John Wesley]  The child was regarded with scorn.

For the disciples of Jesus, "becoming like a child" is a symbol of those who have the lowest places in society, the poor and the oppressed, the beggars, the prostitutes and tax collectors - the people whom Jesus often called the little ones or the least.  Jesus' concern was that these little ones should not be despised or treated as inferior.  See that you never despise any of these little ones.  [John Wesley - RENEW MY HEART]

If Wesley is right, then we have to re-read the above passage and put each of these groups into the text every time it speaks of children.  When we re-read the last paragraph with this understanding, it exhorts us to be pro-active in reaching out to and helping those who have been pummeled in our society.  

We must ask ourselves: 

• Have I done enough by writing a $25 check to the Rescue Mission every Thanksgiving?
• Is it sufficient that I give a dollar to homeless people once in a while?
• Or that I've had a couple of black, Hispanic, Asian friends throughout my life?
• Besides, occasionally I take food to the church for the local food pantry.  

But,

• Have you taught anyone to fish [so they can catch their own fish]?  
• Have you genuinely taken a down-and-out person under your wing?
• Do you REALLY KNOW a family that is struggling to make ends meet?
• How available are you REALLY to those who are suffering injustice?

Jesus was clearly concerned about justice!  He wanted those who were typically treated poorly to receive respect.  He was not a fan of arrogance.  He was a fan of kindness and generosity.  He condemns those who contribute to the injustice of others:  Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble!...woe to the person through whom they come!  Even by our lack of caring or involvement.  

It's not for me to say where He would be in regards to the horrendous racial tensions in America today.  It seems apparent that He would admonish those who are killing, looting and destroying property.  However, He would also look beyond their actions and into their hearts to see and touch the source of pain that brings them to this activity.   Somehow, I'm convinced, He would be among them.  

I attend an all-white church with very little diversity.  It's a good church with a good pastor.  I've thought a lot in recent months about trying to find a black church to attend.  Would I be welcome?  I've preached at least ten times in black churches - but not in recent years.  I had a black, Baptist preacher do a three-month Sunday evening series [at the Oakland Church], but I've since lost track of him.

Bottom Line:  I'm doing practically nothing to heal this terrible situation - except pray.  And I do pray about it;  that's probably part of the reason for this blog post.  

Oh Lord,

I want to be part of Your healing force to re-unite this nation and restore peace.  But I honestly don't know where to begin.  I'm open to Your guidance.  I need Your direction.  I'm tired of praying for Your protection!  It doesn't matter what happens to me.  What matters is that those who are hurt, angry, hateful, and violent be restored to You!  If You can figure a way to use me in that process, I'm willing.  

Wake up Your Church, Oh Lord!  Help us to be an active part of whatever You might be trying to accomplish - before it's too late!

For the Kingdom's sake.  Amen.   

 

THE FIRST RESORT!

For most of my adult life I've been a news consumer.  I think I got that trait from my father;  he was a faithful reader of the newspaper and systematically watched the evening news with Harry Reasoner (on both ABC and CBS). 

Like many of you, I now take my news from a variety of sources.  Debbie is a committed Fox News Channel devotee.  She makes fun of me for watching the "liberal news".  I have a hard time actually hearing that news because she is busy talking back to them during the broadcast!  :-)  I vividly recall the night several months ago when she turned to me and said:  "I've always thought that you were really a closet Democrat!"  We still laugh about that.  [By the way, I have voted for Democrats along the way.  ;-) ]

I suppose my TV news viewing has increased since I've retired. 

A hallmark of my viewership through the years has been feedback!  I write emails and letters frequently to news sources pointing out inequities and biases.  It appalls me to see blatantly partisan reporting!  One of my tell-tale comments in my feedback is:  "I'm capable of forming my own opinions!" 

But, I must confess that watching the news in recent years has become a source for depression - something I certainly don't need!  The extreme partisan bickering and posturing has become painful and so discouraging.

The conservative/liberal polarization has become so embedded now that one wonders if it is possible to see us all pull together for anything.  Occasionally we see these extremes blend, and how encouraging it is when it happens.  A good recent example would be Senator John McCain's funeral ceremonies where Republicans and Democrats sat together, worshiped together and with common passion praised a great patriot! 

I personally loved former Vice President Joe Biden's introductory remarks at John McCain's memorial service:  "Hi.  My name is Joe Biden, and I'm a Democrat."  He went on to deliver an amazing tribute to a man who - for many years - sat across the aisle from him!  [While Travis served as Flag Secretary at the United States Naval Academy, he spent a whole morning with then Vice President Biden.  Travis commented to me later:  "Dad, he is a REALLY nice guy!"]

These rare moments of genuine respect and commonality breathe hope into my heart - a much-needed refreshment!

The divisiveness I'm trying so carefully to describe and analyze has reached new levels of shock over the pivotal nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. 

While some escape the pain of this process through a willful neglect of national news, others of us suffer daily the new twists and turns of the maneuvering of the two sides.  Succinctly, we long for it all to be over. 

In a recent interview that Judge Kavanaugh (and his wife) had with Martha MacCallum, he REPEATEDLY expressed his strong desire for a "fair hearing".  I was struck with sadness as I listened because this simple thing he desires is evidently NOT going to happen!  The lines are drawn and minds are already made up.  Sad!

This morning, I turned my hearing device off and left the room.  I didn't want to hear any more... 

I came to my small, home office and sat, reflecting on my disillusionment with our country.  It was during this time that I heard a still, small voice.  It was the Holy Spirit.  He said, "Are you praying about these things?"  He knew the answer already.

I'm ashamed to admit that my prayer life has diminished in frequency and power since returning from China and especially since my retirement.  Throughout my years of pastoral leadership, I was strenuous in maintaining an active prayer life.  Following my mother's example, I kept multiple lists and systematically worked through them with the determined belief that I could make a difference on my knees.

However, in reality, I had not lifted one prayer for the Senate Judiciary Committee, its chairman, Senator Chuck Grassley, or its members.  Nor had I lifted a single prayer for Judge Kavanaugh, his wife or his precious family.  Although I have prayed for President Trump, I must admit it is not with the frequency or fervency with which I have prayed for other presidents. 

Why is it that prayer is so often our last resort instead of our first resort?  Why do we have this attitude that says, "Well, I've done everything I can do;  all that's left to do is pray."?

As I began to pray, my mind went to words from God recorded by the prophet, Amos.  The part I could remember was, "...let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream."  I opened my browser to Amos, chapter 5, to read the context.  God is upset!  He makes inflammatory remarks to His people:

“I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
    your assemblies are a stench to me.
 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
    I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
    I will have no regard for them.
 Away with the noise of your songs!
    I will not listen to the music of your harps.
 But let justice roll on like a river,
    righteousness like a never-failing stream!"

God also wants justice!  He sees the iniquities of His people and calls them to His standards!

And so, I prayed.  I'm asking God for a fair hearing for Judge Kavanaugh and for his accusers.  I'm praying for the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to be given wisdom in their deliberations and civility in the way they transact their business.  I'm praying for justice to roll on like a river!  I'm praying for a restoration of respect in our government and among our people.  And from there, I went on to pray for many other things related to our country. 

Then, I decided to share my experience with you - in hopes that while you're reading you might hear the same still, small voice that spoke to me.

Holy Spirit,

Thank You for the wake-up call!  Thank You for Your faithfulness!

Thank You for never giving up on me.

Thank You for never giving up on our nation!

Your humble, obstinate servant,

Hal