Let’s be that refuge for our children today!
Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” And he laid his hands on them and went on his way. — Matthew 19:13-15
Have you ever grimaced while standing in the checkout line as the person next to you yelled at his or her kid? Actually, it may have been a reflection in the mirror behind the cashier. Poor kid, surely couldn’t have done something so dramatic to deserve such a berating.
Matthew captures a similar scene when Jesus’ disciples yelled at some parents for bringing their children to Jesus. You have to love the heart of God for children! Jesus doesn’t just grimace, he sharply rebukes the disciples for putting up barriers that keep children from coming to him.
I can visualize Jesus getting up from where he was sitting and pushing aside his disciples to make a pathway for these little ones to get to him. Jesus takes the time to touch each one, maybe picking them up one by one and hugging them. Jesus had an amazing and loving way of welcoming the marginalized of society, especially the children, into his kingdom. Jesus’ touch of love changed everything!
Unfortunately, the spirit of the disciple’s view about children hasn’t changed much through the generations. The English proverb, children should be seen and not heard dates back to the religious views of the 15th century. Our modern attitude towards children may now be closer to a not seen, not heard attitude.
The U.K. Care Quality Commission issued a report last year on child abuse and neglect. Part of their report stated, “Society has changed dramatically over the last 50 years, with leaps in technology and increased global mobility presenting new challenges. Children are groomed for sexual exploitation and radicalization on social media, and young people from certain communities can be at risk of trafficking and female genital mutilation. The number of children identified as having been abused or exploited is only the tip of the iceberg – many more are suffering in silence.” According to one poll, 60% of Americans know someone who has been sexually abused before turning 18 years of age.
The value that Jesus placed upon children is being lost in our “so-called” modern society. Children face major obstacles, even being born. According to Guttmacher Institute, 18% of U.S. pregnancies in 2017 ended in abortion. Once born, living is not a piece of cake. The American SPCC group estimate five children die every day in the United States from abuse. Even worse, 45.4% of children who die from child abuse are under one year of age.
The rapid advancement of technology and in particular the world of social media has created even more perplexity for childhood. Navigating this new world of social media will require lots of prayer and wisdom as we seek to identify the good and bad elements of social media. We have to constantly evaluate how media and technology benefit our children’s development, instead of harming it.
“Social media’s allure is undeniable, especially for kids. Within an instant, children can connect with friends, share thoughts in a blog, research a school paper, or scroll through posts from their latest celebrity crush—all from the comfort of their beds.” (article from Genomind)
Helen Keller said, “alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Wait Until 8th is an example of “together we can do so much.” A group of parents, knowing the pressure to conform to having a Smartphone yet recognizing the impact and dangers of social media on their children, formed an organization called Wait Until 8th. Their mission is to empower parents to rally together and delay giving children a smartphone until at least 8th grade. (You can check them out at www.Wait Until 8th.org)
When Jesus was asked the question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” he didn’t hesitate in his answer. To help his disciples and others to understand, Jesus did a “show and tell” demonstration. “He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” –Matthew 18:2-5
It is easy to see Jesus’ heart and compassion for children. We are called to be prayer warriors against the evil that is seeking to destroy the lives of our children. The legion of influences being forced upon them daily through TV, social media or other countless avenues seems overwhelming until you remember who is ultimately in charge.
As a father and now as a grandfather, my heart breaks thinking of the challenges our children face. Yet I am reminded we have a powerful advocate for our children in Jesus. “It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble.’–Luke 17:2
Lord, hear us as we cry out to you today on behalf of our children. Restore to our children the tenderness and innocence of their childhood. Help us to be a refuge for our children. Use us to protect them from the abuse of predators, the misery of drug and alcohol abuse, and the lies of the evil one that are being promoted as acceptable.
In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and it will be a refuge for his children. Proverbs 14:26
Let’s be that refuge for our children today!
God is great,
It is easy to be discouraged when all around is worldly and anti-God. I pray constantly to the families in my church and especially for the children and young people for God’s protection and provision.