Jesus, Children, and the Church

^14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. ^15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

^16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.

“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,

“‘From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise’^c?”  ^c Psalm 8:2

(The Holy Bible : New International Version (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984), Mt 21:14-16.)

 

 

 

 

Almost a year ago, we began a ministry at our church called "KFC" (Kids For Christ), this is a worship service that takes place at the same time as the adult worship service, and I LOVE it.  Why, you might ask.  Well one of the biggest reasons is Children come to worship with no other agenda than to just worship God.

 

 

We play a game that has to do with whatever the lesson is for the day, sing upbeat current contemporary worship songs, take up an offering for missions (right now it's NAMB, North American Mission Board), sometimes watch a short video clip, I do a lesson, and then if time allows we break into small groups to spend time discussing what the lesson was.  I love it, the kids love it, and many of my adult helpers want to be up there every week.

 

The GBBC Kids are excited each and every week to be there.

 

Why can't church be that way?  Why can't adults get that excited about Jesus.

 

In these verses the priests and scribes (aka the "church people") became indignant.  Okay, so what does indignant mean?  Webster's dictionary defines indignant as:  anger aroused by something unworthy (Inc Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary., Includes Index., 10th ed. (Springfield, Mass., U.S.A.: Merriam-Webster, 1996, c1993).)

 

Did you catch that, the church people became angry because they felt like the children did something "unworthy" of God and the church.

 

You have to love Jesus response:



“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,

“‘From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise’^c?”  (Mt 21:16.)

 

Jesus essentially says, "Yes, I heard them.  They are doing what they are supposed to"

 

Jesus and the Children could teach the Church what it is to worship.  No agenda, just worship at it's purest.

 

think about it,

 

Chris.



This is your moment

The time is now, right now.  Don't wait don't hesitate, you know it's your moment; you know it's your time, so why are you waiting?  or What are you waiting for.

It' s not by chance you are where you are, it's not by chance you work where you do, it's not by chance that you live where you do, and it's not by chance you are who you are.  It's a plan.  A perfect plan.  It's God's perfect plan.

I love the story of Esther.  You and I have to opportunity to read the book in it's entirety and see the outcome, see how the whole divine plan unfolds.  She didn't.  She was a young women that was just living life as she knew it.  Not having any idea that her people's (Jews) lives where in her hand.

You see Esther was picked because of her beauty and gentleness to be queen, when she was picked though her cousin Mordecai (whom was her guardian after her parents died) told her not to reveal to the king her nationality.  Esther becomes queen and all is well, until Haman (the kings trusted aid) gets angry at Mordecai because he would not bow to Haman.  Haman goes to the king and requests an order for Mordecai's people (Jews) to be destroyed.  When Mordecai gets word of this he goes to Esther and warns her of not only their impending doom, but hers as well.  As Mordecai is speaking with Esther he gives the famous words:

Esther 4:14, "^14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (NIV)

Two things to notice here.  First of all, if you and I don't seize our moment God will use someone else.  At the end of our lives there will be no telling how many "missed moments" I had.  When you and I don't seize that moment, that opportunity, then God uses someone else.  I know your first thought, "well good I didn't want to do it anyway".  Be honest you have at least thought that once.  The truth of the matter is every moment we miss, you and I miss a moment to shine.  We miss a moment to grow, and then we wonder why our lives don't feel complete.  Second of all, if you and I don't seize our moment, we miss what we are created for.  God has equipped you and I and placed us where we need to be, at the right time (the perfect time).  God moments, divine moments, or your moments to shine don't come very often, so seize the day, seize the opportunity and shine because this is YOUR MOMENT.

So what happens to Esther you ask, pick up your Bible and read it, there is a great ending.

Have a great weekend,

Chris