Living in the Spirit
July 12, 2015

Scripture Reading: Mark 6:14-29 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ –Mark 6:21-25

It would be classified as exploitation in our world today, using a child for a sinister purpose. This example is quite egregious. We do not know how old the child was or whether her dancing was art or eroticism. In illustrations, it is most often expressed as the latter. Today we see this happening most often in the sex trade industry. Children become pawns to satisfy the lusts of people who can pay their way out of crime. Perhaps more prevalent is the situation where children are caught in the middle of an unhealthy relationship between their parents whether the parents were ever married, are married, or are no longer married.

Although those who long for children would disagree about the first part of this statement, in most cases having children is one of the easiest jobs to get and one of the most challenging to do. Whether we have children or not we are all responsible for the health and wellbeing of each child. They must be nurtured and educated, protected and loved, and encouraged to become the persons God created them to be.

John Ortberg credits Jesus with being the turning point in the worth of children as he recognized them fully as persons of worth, not the chattel of their parents. Children are our future. We would do well to cherish them for the gifts from God that they are.

Prayer: Lord, we pray for all children today that they may know your love through our love, flourish through our support, and be the next guiding light toward the fulfillment of your Kingdom on earth. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.