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Children to be Honored
Mark
10:13-16
And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on
them and blessed them (Mark 10:16).
When we meditate on the sub theme "Attitude to the
Weak", one of the important areas to be noted is the role of children
in the kingdom of God. Ancient societies lacked the romantic notions of
childhood such as innocence and dependence.
1. Value-system of the
World: Here in this passage a child was highlighted as an example
of the values of the kingdom. S/he became the main character of his
teaching. Instead of considering children as learners, there are lessons
to be learned from them. Jesus made the example of a child to overturn
the disciples' argument regarding the greatest among them. The value
system disciples' promulgated were all together opposite to Jesus'
teaching. They were not ready to practice the importance of weak and
marginalized in the kingdom of God.
2. Lessons to be Learned
from Children: Jesus is warning the disciples that they must give up the
normal human temptation to become great. In those societies, the father
decided whether the child would even be accepted to the family. Children
belonged to their father and remained in his control. The saying "to
receive the kingdom like a child," must therefore refer to the
radical dependence of the child on the father for any statues or
inheritance. At the same time we should dependent only on God's grace.
Our relation to God is above all earthly relations though they are
needed.
Nobody can boast before God because we are all unworthy
servants and no permanent existence of our own. A child-like mind leads
to pray for others and be thankful to others' help. Pride and ego will be
washed away in such an attitude. May God strengthen all of us to be
humble before the throne of grace.
PRAYER
Lord, we dedicate us to imbibe your value-system
and to participate in your kingdom, Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Even the smallest of things can teach the greatest
of things to humankind.
Christian
Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
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