Matthew 18:1-6
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Children have a special place in God's heart, because they are vulnerable, humble and dependent. So the sexual abuse of children is particularly grievous to God. This causes Jesus to go so far as to say that "whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea" (verse 6). These are harsh words, but the mistreatment of our children occurs all too often, even in "Christian" families. Apart from obvious abuse, we also need to repent of the sexual messages we are sending to children through media and other avenues, which can easily "cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin" (verse 6).
Lord, help us to protect and be good influences on the children.
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Children have a special place in God's heart, because they are vulnerable, humble and dependent. So the sexual abuse of children is particularly grievous to God. This causes Jesus to go so far as to say that "whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea" (verse 6). These are harsh words, but the mistreatment of our children occurs all too often, even in "Christian" families. Apart from obvious abuse, we also need to repent of the sexual messages we are sending to children through media and other avenues, which can easily "cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin" (verse 6).
Lord, help us to protect and be good influences on the children.