For Children
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Straight to the Cross
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GUEST ARTICLE
For Children
by Warren Baldwin
Then little children were brought to Jesus
for him to place his hands on them and
pray for them. But the disciples rebuked
those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let
the little children come to me, and do not
hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven
belongs to such as these." When he had
placed his hands on them he went on from
there. Matt. 19:13-15
You have to wonder about religious leaders who
don't have room or time for children. Who are they
serving? What are they serving? What is their
vision for the future?
God has long been concerned about the needs of
children. From Old Testament times he made it
clear that children were to be cared for. Parents
were to train their children in the ways of God
(Deut. 6). The larger society was to see that the
fatherless were taken care of. They were not to be
caught up in an economic or social system where
"only the strong survived" (Deut. 24:17).
Years later the prophets reminded the people of
their responsibility to children. Isaiah reminds
his listeners to "defend the cause of the
fatherless" (Isa. 1:17). Micah delivers a
scalding judgment against those who prevent the
orphan from inheriting his father's land (Mic.
2:9).
This theme of caring for children is picked up in
the New Testament. James defines true spirituality
in terms we may not be comfortable with: "Religion
that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless
is this: to look after orphans and widows in their
distress" (Jas. 1:17).
The disciples of Jesus would not have argued with
these verses. They probably would have thought of
them more in line with providing for their
physical needs, and that would be true. But these
verses go beyond that, especially a number of
passages in Deuteronomy.
God was concerned with the physical needs of
children. But he was also concerned with their
spiritual needs. He wanted them to be reared
thinking about God, about his blessing in their
lives, about his provision. Being well-fed
highlighted those lessons. But being trained in
righteousness was the core of the curriculum.
Christian people have debated for years on the
best way to care for children who are orphaned or
abandoned. Adoption? A Christian children's home?
Which? I think God would say, "Yes." However we do
it, let's just do it.
Taking care of children in need lies at the heart
of who and what we are as followers of God.
There are a lot of children in need in our world
today. Children who need food, who need clothing,
who need adults who will take an interest in their
lives. Adults who will take them to ball games,
coach their teams, take them out for an ice cream.
Adults who will pick them up and take them to
Sunday School and other spiritual functions.
God calls all of us to a ministry to children.
Please hear his call.
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