Father, we all are back at it today. Help us to be grateful for our time together and to cherish that as we move forward. May we be a soothing balm to those around us. May our lights shine brightly in the darkness. Amen.
Matthew 19:13-15 (<<click the green)
When I was in high school a popular commercial of the time had an actor eating or drinking something that wasn’t necessarily healthy, then they would thump themselves in the head with the palm of their hand and exclaim, “Wow, I could have had a V8!” Of course, V8 Juice is still around and the idea was that there was a much better alternative to the choice they had made.
In today’s passage, I think the disciples probably thump themselves in the head thinking, “I should have known better!”
Parents had “brought their children to Jesus so he could lay hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering [Jesus].” It hadn’t been but a few days since Jesus had brought a child to stand among them telling them, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4)
Definitely a thump on the head moment!
Lord, Your words have lost nothing in the 2000+ years since you proclaimed them. How many times do I thump myself in the head and think, “I should have known better!” I am so indebted to You for Your long-suffering love towards me. (Long-suffering communicates so much more than patient!) How often do I hear Your word loud and clear and in short order run contrary to it and have to thump myself in the head? May more and more of Your teachings be absorbed into my mindset. May I live out Your precepts each day. Amen.
Aug 14th, 2018, Tues, 7:33 am
