Let the Children Come

The end of the school year is rapidly approaching, and once again many of our children will be receiving school related awards. Students of various ages will be rewarded for their accomplishments in academics, as well as in music, sports, and a variety of other extra curricular activities. They will be acknowledged and commended for their hard work and overall commitment to excellence. This kind of recognition is appropriate and important in the life of our children.

However, there are other kinds of award recognition that are also important. For example, this past week I once again had the privilege of seeing approximately fifty children being awarded for their accomplishments in a weekly Bible related club. Throughout the school year these boys and girls spent considerable time memorizing and studying numerous passages of the Bible. Week after week they recited memorized Scripture verses which are essential in knowing who Jesus Christ is and following him.

I thank God for the accomplishments of these children who deserve to be commended. I am also grateful to the many leaders who helped those girls and boys learn and understand God’s word. It is truly an eternal investment with eternal rewards. Most important, it is in keeping with the heart felt desire of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The New Testament tells us that when Christ was on earth, on one occasion as he was preaching and teaching, people were bringing their children to have him lay his hands on them and pray for them. However, Jesus’ disciples tried to prevent this by rebuking those parents. These men must have thought that Christ was too busy to deal with children, and viewed them as an interruption of his ministry. But the Scriptures tell us that when the Lord realized what his disciples were doing, he rebuked them for stopping those parents. It was then that he called the children to join him, and spoke these well known words: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

That is a constant reminder that children were and are extremely important to Jesus Christ. He wanted even little children to come to him. He wanted children to have free access to him. He did not want any adults to ever hinder them from coming. Kids could know Christ, too. That is why we should always make it our priority to bring all children to Jesus. He wants them to come. He wants them to know him. It is never too early for that to begin.

So please be that adult who brings the children in your life to the Lord. Encourage them in every way possible to come to him. The rewards for them and you are eternal.

Pastor Doug Birky

Evangelical Free Church, Sidney