Honor the Children 10 March 2008

Mark 9:30-41
Monday, 10 March 2008

When I was a child, I used to like it when Elder Griffith, one of our associate ministers, would preach. It wasn't so much that I was moved by Eld. Griffith's homiletical skills as the fact that Elder Griffith had a way of making me feel noticed and important as a child. You see, whenever he began his sermons, in addition to "giving honor" to God, the pastor, the ministers, the saints, and the friends, he always made sure to mention the children too. Nobody else ever gave honor to the children.

Jesus has been eavesdropping on the conversation of his disciples, or more aptly reading their hearts, as they argue among themselves about who is the greatest. Their conversation is ironic since they have just experienced the embarrassment of being unable to heal the tormented young son of a man who had come to them for help. Rather than wondering how to hone their healing and exorcism skills, they are comparing themselves against one another. Jesus surprises them by presenting the lowest and least honored person in the community - a child. Most likely the disciples would never even have noticed the child in their midst if Jesus had not called their attention to him. "When you welcome the child, you welcome me."

In the kingdom of God, we should always remember that conventional wisdom is upended. The greatest is the servant. The last are first. Whoever is not against us is for us. The children are honored. This reversal of fortune was hard for the disciples to accept and remains hard for us to believe. For them, the biggest welcome should be reserved for the most important people, those who have something to offer or some perk to bestow. But if we can't honor the child, then we are unlikely to recognize the Crucified One as Lord. And if we miss the Crucified One, we cut ourselves off from the reign and glory of God. Elder Griffith had the right idea.

Sing, "I Think When I Read"

Call in prayer the names of the children in your life. Give thanks for them, and ask for the wisdom to know how to honor and welcome them and thus to welcome the kingdom of God.