March 2: Numbers 30-31; Mark 9

Welcoming a child

Scripture: Mark 9:36 He (Jesus) took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,
37 "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."

Observation: United States ambassadors live in foreign countries representing our government. They act in the name of the United States. They represent our government. They speak to national leaders as though our President himself were present and speaking.

Receiving children “in his name” would mean that we are doing it on his behalf. We are receiving the child as His representative and treating them in the way He would treat them.

Application: I am to treat children as Jesus would treat them. On behalf of heaven I am to welcome them into my presence. And in welcoming a child I find that I have welcomed Jesus and the One who sent him. (NOTE: If people understood these verses, churches would have no shortage of children’s workers.)

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the children you bring into our lives. We learn from watching them and we are blest as we bless them. When we receive them in your name, you take it as though we were doing it unto you! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!