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Young People |
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Jesus
did many wonderful things. One of my favorites was when some
of his disciples asked him who would be the greatest in the
Kingdom of God.
Picture it, the crowd around Jesus, many on tip toes or pushing forward
for a better look. Closer to the teacher were the apostles,
maybe a bit smug to be in the inner circle.
Suddenly one of them asks, "Rabbi, who's the greatest in the Kingdom?".
Do you think the motive for the question was to find out where
they ranked? You know how it is. You want to be accepted by
others, get some approval. It's always nice to get some props
in front of your peers.
Jesus did something remarkable. He found a young child, pulled it
close to him and with loving hands on the child's shoulders
told the crowd, "Unless you become like one of these children
you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven".(Matthew 18:2-3)
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Whoa! What? Like a little kid? Yeah, right, Jesus. What do kids know?
"Therefore,
anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest
in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child
like this on my behalf is welcoming me."
Ah…it's about being humble. Little children are humble and full of awe.
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Unfortunately
for many of us, the older we get does not mean the wiser we
grow. Sometimes the more we know the more judgmental and egotistical
we become. Arrogance seeps in. Jesus had some things to say
about that. "O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank
you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so
wise and clever, and for revealing it to the childlike."
(Matthew 11:25)
Jesus also warned against causing anyone, especially little ones,
to lose their faith. Jesus knows of all the temptations and
evil in the world. He experienced them first hand. It's bad
when we fall into those temptations. God is full of mercy, however,
if we start causing others to go the wrong way we are told that
is one of the worst things we could ever do.
Everyone one of us can make a real difference in life. Just as we could
do something terribly wrong like leading others down the wrong
path, we also can do something wonderful. We can be followers
of the way of truth and life! Take a stand for what you know
is right. It takes courage, but God's spirit will give you the
strength. You can be a light in the darkness. Oh, how the world
needs that today!
Maybe you think your parents don't have a clue. Perhaps your teachers
and other "older" people don't get it. Well, some
of them don't. Wouldn't it be great if you could carry the truth
to them?
I know it can be scary. Intimidating. It's just not the cool
thing to do. It's too hard to talk to my friends about stuff
like that.
Do you think it's any easier for adults? No, we face the same fears
and concerns. Don't think of it as winning an argument. It's
more like introducing a good friend. Jesus is your friend.
So don't be afraid to talk about the joy you've found in Christ.
Remember, it's a personal relationship that everyone can have.
All are invited, but it's a free choice. You can make a difference.
And your biggest impression may just be how you act. People
look for us to backup our beliefs by living them.
Unless you become like one of these little children…
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible,
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973, 1978,
1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout
the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks
of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for
the offering of goods or services requires the prior written
consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible,
New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission
of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All
rights reserved.
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