Be Christ to those to whom you minister
Let us look for a moment how the Lord, Jesus Christ presented Himself, especially to children:
1. Mark 10:13-16; He defended their ability to come to Him, desiring to bless them. He was angry with the disciples who turned them away. He took the children up in His arms and blessed them over and over. What a picture of tender love from the heart of God the Son! Is this your heart?
2. In Matthew 18:1,2 Jesus illustrated rather than using words to answer the disciples question about who is greatest in Heaven, by calling a little child into the midst of the disciples and stating that adults must become as this child in order to enter Heaven. Also Jesus stated that greatness is measured according to the child-like humility. Humility is tender, assuming the higher or better condition of the one to whom you relate. As God’s servants, Christians are expected to show humility even to children.
3. In Matthew 18:5 He taught that to receive a little child is to receive Himself. How long has it been since you viewed one of those little children as Christ Jesus, Himself?
(perhaps one not taught manners, and abused instead of lovingly disciplined, thereby behaving as his abusers) This is one of the most powerful concepts Jesus taught. He greatly loved children, and truly wants His people to regard children as we regard Him. To “receive” someone is to open yourself to them. To “receive” a child is to love them as yourself. Meditate on this one, and think how you would receive Jesus if He were among your students. Would you do and say anything differently than you ordinarily do? Would your attitude be any different than it is now?
(perhaps one not taught manners, and abused instead of lovingly disciplined, thereby behaving as his abusers) This is one of the most powerful concepts Jesus taught. He greatly loved children, and truly wants His people to regard children as we regard Him. To “receive” someone is to open yourself to them. To “receive” a child is to love them as yourself. Meditate on this one, and think how you would receive Jesus if He were among your students. Would you do and say anything differently than you ordinarily do? Would your attitude be any different than it is now?
4. In Matthew 18:6 Jesus taught how serious it is to offend one of these little ones; that it is better to have a millstone hung about your neck and thrown into the deep sea. In the Jewish culture, to not have a grave and a place of remembrance was a terrible thing. Being thrown into the sea was worse than just being condemned to die, it was to have the very memory of your life blotted out.
5. Also in Matthew 18:6 one may pass over the “who believes in Me” without considering the depth of this one. If a little child can believe in Jesus, then there is a time when children have not yet believed in Him. John 1:12, and 3:16. Romans 3:23, 6:23, and 10:13 all apply to children as well as adults. There is no distinction of age or gender, so we must take this to apply to all people. All Christians must be about the business of winning as many souls as God gives us opportunity to have the privilege of winning. True love will stir compassion to pray, witness, love, and seek the highest good of every child in your classes, to desire to see them become children of God, our very Christian brothers and sisters.
Will you, Dear Teacher, and children’s Worker consider these things and ask God to help you be more like Jesus, and consider the children more like Jesus as you minister to His precious little ones? May the Lord bless you as you serve Him through His children.
