March Newsletter, 2018 Rick McPherson
I was privileged to be raised in a Christian home. As a child I remember attending Sunday School and singing songs like, “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” The lyrics accurately portray the very heart of God towards us and counter the divisive and vicious racism and bigotry that attacks our world today.
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.
The music was written by George Root in 1864 as a Civil War marching tune. Later, the lyrics by Clare Woolston were added and children have been singing it ever since. It certainly is appropriate as we present this month’s newsletter and show this picture of a precious Hispanic boy receiving a box of food from one of our recent missions’ trips.
Although the winter weather affected us we were still able to provide for three separate locations in the last thirty days. Trucks and trailers were loaded with groceries and household supplies and delivered to help families and children…red and yellow, black and white.
I’m reminded of how important children are to Jesus. One passage in St. Matthew’s Gospel says it this way, “Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ And He laid His hands on them…” (19:13-15)
In another passage the disciples were arguing about status and prestige, asking Jesus, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” The Biblical narrative says that Jesus called a little child and set him in their midst and said,
“Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” (St. Matthew 18:1-5)
While children come to Jesus readily, there is more hesitancy for adults to respond. Grown-ups seem to lose the innocent faith and trusting nature that children possess. Yet in this passage Jesus invites us to come to Him “like little children” and says “whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK? We have all sinned and deserve God’s judgment. God the Father sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was buried and rose from the dead. If you truly believe and trust in your heart, receiving Jesus as your Savior, you will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven.
- Yes, today I am deciding to follow Jesus.
- Yes, I am already a follower of Jesus.
- I still have questions.