Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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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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