An Awesome Responsibility

July 20

"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.' And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left." Matthew 19: 14, 15

THE METAPHOR OF THE MILLSTONE

Do you remember that scripture where Jesus addressed people who caused children to stumble in life? The passage is in Matthew 18:5-7. Jesus said it would better for those misguided folks if a millstone were hung about their necks and they were thrown into the sea. Pretty serious consequences -- and proof of how much Jesus loves children!

Jesus used a very dramatic item common in Biblical times to illustrate His point. A millstone was used as an olive press or a way to grind the grain. It was a huge stone. He was probably pointing to one when he spoke. People would have understood what He meant! Not something you want to experience!

Everything in the New Testament is there to try to make truth understandable. Jesus, a wonderful storyteller, was never in the business of making things obscure, He was in the business of making things clear. -- Mike Huckabee


Perhaps part of what Jesus was endeavoring to convey regards not only those sins of commission against children which everyone finds heinous but also those subtle sins of living lifestyles before them that will rob them of their ability to discern right from wrong.

Parents wield a tremendous influence over their children so the attitudes and beliefs of the parents will hold great sway over their youngsters. Everything from their attitudes toward people to their personal behavior will be greatly impacted by what their parents evidence.

Parents who are critical and condemning of those around them will raise children who are quick to find fault. Parents who are promiscuous in their relationships will plant within the belief system of their children the idea that monogamous relationships aren’t necessary, no matter what the Good Book says.

The Word places great responsibility upon parents for living righteous live before their children; lives that will not lead them to spiritual harm. Exodus 20:5, for example, says, “The sins of the father are visited upon the children to the third and fourth generation.”

This doesn’t mean that God imposes the sins of the parents upon their children but that that the influence of the parents carries over to their children who will then impart those attitudes to their children. To receive Jesus as Savior is to break the sin-cycle and to be free of its curse.

May parents assume that awesome and blessed responsibility in order that the precious lives entrusted to their keeping will be greatly advantaged in life by the blessings of a righteous lifestyle and that they will have forever the approval of the Holy One who inhabits eternity.