Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

—Matthew 19:14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In an age that neglected children and held them in low regard, Jesus' love for children and his tenderness with them are powerful reminders that God values every person, young or old, born or not yet born, rich or poor, impoverished or born to wealth. Jesus is God's great reminder of his love for the people the world often neglects, abuses, and abandons. Jesus calls us to love the unloved, the forgotten, the abused, and the neglected. Why? Because that is what Israel was before God chose them (Ezekiel 16:4-5), that is who Jesus was at Calvary (Galatians 3:13), and that is who we were without grace (Romans 5:6-11; Ephesians 2:1-5). How can we claim to know salvation but not share grace with others who need God's love, mercy, and grace - especially when those others are children? How can we claim to be Jesus' disciples and not show love for those "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40, 45), the people that the world forgets, but Jesus values? The answer is simple: we cannot, and still claim to be Jesus' disciples!

My Prayer...

Father, I want to be more gracious toward "the least of these" as Jesus was. I long to be holy, loving, compassionate, and tender toward the forgotten children of today. Help me not only to be angry about the neglect and abuse children suffer in my world, but also to be moved to act in ways that notice, rescue, bless, and support them. In the name of Jesus, the great lover of all children, I pray. Amen.