Not A Bother

"Today's Devotion" For July 29, 2005

Read: Matthew 19:13-15; I Peter 1:13-2:3

NOT A BOTHER

"'Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"(Mt.19:14)

"Rug rats" is a common phrase for those little people, called children, who run around under foot, get in the way, make too much noise, keep parents up at night, make messes, skin knees, and, among many other things, stretch a family's financial resources to the point of breaking. To hear some folks talk about children - and who will frequently use the term "rug rats" pejoratively - you'd think they were the worst creatures on God's good earth. I don't know about you, but I often find myself struggling to keep a straight face as I listen to such people complain, tempted to ask them if they were ever children themselves.

That's how the disciples reacted to children being brought to Jesus to receive His blessing and to have Him pray for them. "Don't bother the Teacher," they told them and their parents. Jesus' reminds them that children are among God's gifts to families, just as are faithful spouses in a faithful marriage (Mt. 19:1-10). Not only are they God's gifts to us, but they also belong to God's created order of things, kept under His blessing and care. They are special to Him because they come to Him with a faith that is simple, trusting, and open. Children, by their very nature of immaturity are guileless, which condition also marks those who fully and completely trust and believe in Jesus. It's for such as these, the humble, open, and trusting, that the kingdom of heaven has been prepared.

By the power of God's Word and Spirit, through faith in Jesus, we seek to be like the children Jesus describes - trusting, open, and humble before the Lord. To have such a faith, simple, childlike, and humble, is desirable and pleasing to God. God's love for us in Christ is so great and wonderful that it defies logic and sophisticated thinking. In Christ we seek for our lives of faith to remain simple and childlike so that we might fully live in Him. God doesn't call His children "rug rats." We are not a bother to Him. Rather, according to His own words, each of us is very special to Him. Each of us is one of His beloved children, fully redeemed and restored to Him in Christ. What is there that's better or more important than this? We are truly blessed in Jesus, as we are fed and nourished with the pure milk of the Word. We are truly, "Not A Bother" to our Father in heaven. He loves us very much and gives us His very best in Jesus.

Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be my Savior from Sin and the Lord of my life. Continue to remind me that, just as the little children were not a bother to Jesus, in Him I am not a bother to You. You love me and continue to keep me in You. Give me a faith which is firmly founded in Your Word and that has a strong, humble, and trusting commitment to You through my Lord Jesus Christ. Keep me safely in Your arms, and help me to share Your love with others. In Jesus precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.