Matthew 19:13-15 (NLT) 13One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” 15And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.
The Pharisees of Jesus’ day were well-known for complicating the rules, laws, and stipulations of being the ‘chosen ones’ – those belonging to God. Jesus taught simplicity.
John 5:24 (NLT) 24I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life.
The disciples must have been the original publicity agents trying to maintain the demands of overbooked schedules and standing-room-only attendees. They did their best to minimize distractions. Jesus taught simplicity.
Luke 18:17 (NLT) 17I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.
I Think When I Read That Sweet Story of Old (Jemima Thompson Luke, 1841)
I think when I read that sweet story of old, when Jesus was here among men, How He called little children as lambs to His fold, I should like to have been with them then.
I wish that His hands had been placed on my head, that His arms had been thrown around me, and that I might have seen His kind look when He said, “Let the little ones come unto me.”
Yet still to His footstool in prayer I may go, and ask for a share in His grace, and if I thus earnestly seek Him to know, I shall find in His kingdom a place.
The simplicity of child-like faith is this...
Romans 10:9-10, 13 (NIV) 9If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ... Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Lord God Almighty, our Father;
The Gospel message is so simple and uncomplicated. Simple trust in Your saving grace. Simple faith in Christ our Redeemer. Why are we so hesitant to proclaim this simple message to others? Forgive us. We come to you with humble hearts in child-like faith. Renew our passion to share this wonderful news of salvation to others.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
The devotional I Think When I Read That Sweet Story of Old appeared first on Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Advent Christian Hymnal, ACGC, 1952.
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