Title: Treat Children Like Jesus
Treat children like Jesus
Mark 10:13-16
13. 5. 5 Children's Sunday
Today is the 91st Children's Day since it was established on May 1, 1953. Children are the joy of parents, the pillars of the family, and the hope of the nation. Jesus loved little children. But in the text, the meek and humble Jesus is getting angry. When people brought little children to Jesus hoping to touch him, the disciples rebuked him, but when Jesus saw him, he was angry (Mark 10:13-14). Jesus was not angry when his disciples betrayed him. Even when people rebuked Bartimaeus, a blind man who was earnestly seeking Jesus, saying, “Be quiet,” he was not angry with them (Mark 10:46-52). Also, he was not angry when people incited him to kill the adulterous woman (John 8:1-11). But now Jesus is angry with the disciples for stopping the little children from coming.
Are you not blocking children from going to Jesus like the disciples now? Children are more precious souls than the world. Jesus loves children more than anyone and wants to be close to them. Beggars, blind people, short statures, women, and adults can meet Jesus. However, if adults block it, it is difficult for children to meet Jesus on their own. Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven belongs to little children. He said, "Let little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:14).
Then, on Children's Sunday, by learning about biblical parenting methods, I hope that all of us will raise all children of this earth as “children of Jesus.”
First, let's love.
Children are born with love, and they grow up with love. Unfortunately, modern parents do not know how to love their children. You think overprotection and material things are love, but that's not love. For children, love is in the hands of their parents. Think about the last time you called your child by name, played with them, or gave them a warm hug. Like Jesus, let’s “call”, “close”, and “hug” children by name. Jesus called the little children and approached them (Luke 18:16) and embraced them (Mark 10:16).
Also, if parents love their children, they should treat them with dignity. Too often our parents ignore their children without realizing it. Parents should listen to their children. In addition, teachers should not only command the disciples to “do”, but lovingly tell them “let’s do it together” and “let’s do it together”. Jesus told us not to despise us because we are little children. Be careful not to despise even a single child like this (Matthew 18:10, Modern Bible). Jesus did not ignore the boy who brought two fish and five loaves of bread from the wilderness, but looked down on them. Let us respect the words and actions of children as God honors them.
When the philosopher Socrates grew old and ill, his disciples gathered and asked, “Teacher, give me one last and most important message.” Then Socrates closed his eyes and said: “I have one last thing to say to the people when I climb to the top of Mount Athens.” "What is that?" The disciples asked again. At that time, Socrates said, “People, do not be faithful only in collecting wealth, but pour out more love and devotion to the children who will inherit it. This is the noblest lesson I have learned in my life.”
Second, let's teach.
Parents should teach their children “diligently” in the Word of God. The Bible exhorts your children to be diligent in teaching and preaching these words when you sit at home, when you walk on the road, when you lie down and when you get up (Deuteronomy 6:7). We do not know how much sinful environment our children are exposed to now. Unfortunately, Korea now ranks second in the world for the number of harmful Internet sites such as pornography, suicide, and gambling. It is said that pornographic mail is sent randomly so that our children can see it even if they don't want to see it. Our children are threatened by the wrong sins of adults. Only the Holy Spirit and the Word can break this sinful thing (Zechariah 4:6). If you nurture your children with the word, you can resist temptation and win like Joseph (Genesis 39:9).
Parents should teach the Word to their children from a very young age. If you think that young children do not understand the Word, you are mistaken. From the time a child is conceived, parents should read, sing, and pray the Word of God with prenatal education. Even when you are breastfeeding in your mother's arms, you should sing a hymn instead of a lullaby and pray. Little Samuel heard the voice of God that Eli the priest had not heard. There is a western proverb that says, "If you want your children to be damned, leave your fortune, and if you want your children to succeed, put your faith and beliefs."
Parents should also teach their children by example. Children do not grow up with the words of their parents, but by observing their backs. So, don't go out alone for Wednesday prayer meetings or special services, and show your children how to pray, read the Word, and worship. Children who see their parents praying behind them will surely become filial piety.
Third, let's be blessed.
There are only two examples in the Bible where Jesus raised his hand to bless. Before ascending to heaven, He blessed the disciples and blessed the children. He took the little children, laid his hands on them, and blessed them (Mark 10:16). Like Jesus, parents should put their hands on their children's heads and pray for blessings. Great men of faith have always blessed the future of their children. The Bible testifies that by faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau for the things to come, and by faith Jacob blessed each son of Joseph when he died and worshiped with the head of his staff (Hebrews 11:20-21).
Biblically, it is of great significance for parents to lay their hands on their children and pray for blessings. Parents are God's agents. They are the representative of the authority to bless children, the authority to teach children with the word of God, the authority to nurture and discipline children, and the authority to pass on the faith to their children as a legacy. God always answers the prayers of parents who bless their children in this way. God answered Noah's prayer, and the sons of the filial son Shem and Japheth were blessed, and the descendants of the filial son Ham, who uncovered their father's faults, were cursed (Genesis 9:18-27). Jacob, who intercepted his father Isaac's prayer for blessing the firstborn, received the blessing according to his father's prayer (Genesis 27:1-40). Jacob's twelve sons were just as their father Jacob laid his hands and prayed (Genesis 49:1-28). Rather than telling your children to “study,” let’s put our hands on their heads and pray at least once a day. Children grow better when they are raised by God than when they are raised by their parents.
Children grow up eating the love of their parents, living by their parents' teachings, and creating a future with their parents' blessings. Let's raise the children God has given us as an inheritance into the great trees of God's kingdom. The Holy Spirit knows and blesses our blood, sweat and tears.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us children who are our joy, our happiness, the pillars of our home, and the hope of our nation. Help us all to teach and bless our little ones with love. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.