The Weekly Perspective
by TJ Draper, Deacon
The signs of life abound in our congregation with the
births this year both past and upcoming. And what a
joy to welcome these dear ones to our midst, as the
waters of baptism bear witness that they belong to
Christ. This is the life of the church as we look
around at our congregation and see folks from all
stages of life.
In Matthew 18, as part of our Lord’s discourse on who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, He said to his disciples, “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 18 points us to the truth that children are very important in the life of the church, and, indeed, in the kingdom of heaven. And, we do well to remember that we, even as adults, are likened to children all the time as “children of God.” In our infants in particular, we witness their faith in us as they look to us for their care. As we nourish their bodies, physically, we are also instructed to nourish them spiritually as they grow. And, paradoxically, what is commanded to us for the nourishing of our own faith? To become like children. And if we do not, we will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
As we receive these children in the name of Christ, we receive Christ, and we become even as little children. Thanks be to God for His good gifts and the way he points us to riches of eternal life through the children he entrusts to us!