Stooping Down for Children Because Jesus Humbled Himself for Us!

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

Like many others, my favorite U.S. president is Abraham Lincoln.  Lincoln was not necessarily popular during his time of service.  He faced many trials and much opposition.  But, from what I have read, Lincoln sought to lead this country in the direction he believed to be best, trusting in God’s Word to guide him, and trusting his faith to sustain him.  Many of Lincoln’s famous sayings are actually found in Scripture.

 

One saying attributed to Lincoln, and to others, talks about how we treat children.  “No Man is so tall as when he stoops to help a child.”  Actually, this is not an exact quotation of Scripture, but does reflect the words and the actions of Jesus.  In Luke 18:15-17 we are told about Jesus,

 

15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

 

In a culture where children were to be seen and not heard, Jesus considered children important.  He even welcomed infants.  Jesus called others to "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

 

I am excited that this Sunday we will start our school year schedule for Sunday School.  But, this is more than just learning stories.  Sunday School is about bringing children of all ages to Jesus! 

 

However, offering a Sunday School program takes effort, commitment, and ultimately love.  It takes time and commitment to choose materials and recruit teachers.  To provide Sunday School it takes time and effort to prepare classrooms and lessons.  To offer Sunday School classes takes patience to listen to and teach children who might be distracted with something else.  Teaching Sunday School takes persistence and perseverance to show up every Sunday so that the children and students can learn in a comfortable setting.  What Lincoln said is true, adults “stoop down” to offer time and effort in order to teach children about Jesus.

 

Yet, in our fast paced world it can be easy to be worn out by the effort and commitment.  Hopefully, then we remember the greater commitment, the greater sacrifice, and the greater love of Jesus.  Philippians 2 says, 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

 

Jesus left the glory and comfort of heaven to take on the poverty and suffering of this world.  Jesus put aside His divine nature to take on human form.  Jesus humbled Himself and “stooped down,” and died, so that we might be raised up, loved, forgiven, and saved.  And, that love of God for us is eternal because Jesus did stoop down to help the children of God.

 

One more thing!  In addition to the effort of church leaders and teachers, there is another group that must give committed effort for children to learn in Sunday School.  That group is the parents and grandparents of children.  Getting kids to Sunday School is not always easy.  But, my wife, Kathy has another way of putting this truth.  This Sunday she and Dave Nufer will begin teaching a Chip Ingram class on Spiritual Warfare.  Being the wife of the pastor Kathy has had to get our family to church on her own, because I was already there.  Kathy says, “If you have ever tried to get a family, especially with small children, ready for church on Sunday, you have probably been involved in Spiritual Warfare.” Yet, we want our children to have the saving knowledge and faith in Jesus so the effort is worthwhile.

 

So, Sunday School begins this weekend, for children and adults.  Thanks to the church leaders and teachers giving the effort to provide Sunday School to all God’s children in our congregation.  Let me encourage parents and grandparents to do as Jesus says, "Let the little children come to me . . .”  May the stooping down of Jesus for us, give you energy and perseverance to bring your children to Jesus!

 

A Child of God, “Stooping Down” for Children Because Jesus Humbled Himself for Us!,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here are fish pictures from a trip to Valdez with Eric Wyatt, and friend Eric Vogel. https://goo.gl/photos/hi7h8B9YZPEHbV25A

 

P.P.S.  A BIG event happened in our family this last week!!  Here are some pictures that may share the good news.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/TsH5QdHfP5qzkxNe2

 

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you do not want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message.

 

 

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