by Rev. Gary Ruckman
Text: Mark 9:37a
He said to them, “Whoever receives one child like this in My name is receiving Me.”
Introduction: The difference adoption can make is a true blessing from God. Because a mother chose the adoption option, I can share with you the Ode To My Parents written last spring for a senior English class by a young lady who has been blessed and been a blessing through adoption.
“The years, which have quickly passed us by, seem to be coming to an abrupt halt as the much anticipated date of graduation gets closer to the present date. When looking back on those familiar days of my childhood years, I think of two wonderful people that decided to call me their own; they are my loving parents. These people, whom God Himself has chosen to entrust His care to, have faithfully brought me up in the one true faith, have lovingly taken care of me in the moments of sadness in my life, have willingly shared in my moments of joy, and have responsibly been there for me to have someone to turn to. Trials and temptations, though not as frequent as times of happiness, have made me question them at times, but through it all, they are still a solid foundation in my life. As I will now depart from their everyday presence to move on to my next step in life, which will be my college experience, I will ponder on their unconditional love and will thank them always in my heart for being the best parents that anyone could ever ask for.”
This is how it can be if we join together and choose life. This is how it can be if we move from human reason to God’s way. Adoption does give a win, win, win situation. Parents win, the child wins. Psalm 100:3 says: “Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” As we place a Biblical value on human life, we follow the path God has set before us. We see this in the words of our Lord in Mathew 19.
I. Our Lord’s Own Example
Matthew 19:14, “But Jesus said, ‘Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” In this verse our Lord shows how tenderly He cares for children then and now. May He enable us to show His love to the children He has entrusted to our care.
A. The child in Capernaum
Matthew 18:2-3, “And He called a child to Himself and stood him in their midst, and said, ‘Truly I say to you, unless; you are converted and become like little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.’” Here He reminds us of the need to trust Him with a child like faith-a faith that is dependent upon His commitment to us.
B. The impact of His message on the Apostles
Luke 24:44-45, “Now He said to them, ‘These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” He opened the hearts and minds of the apostles to all that was written about Him in the Old Testament. Once they knew, He used them to tell the world.
C. The impact of His message on our lives
2 Corinthians 5:15, “And He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him Who died and rose again on their behalf.” He redeemed us so that we would live a life that shows our thankfulness for His sacrifice for each of us. Our value and respect for human life is part of our thankfulness.
II. Our Own Response
Proverbs 21:13, “He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor, will also cry himself and not be answered.” This verse warns of the dangers of ignoring the needs of those around us. God calls us to lovingly respond to the needs of those around us just as Christ’s example shows us.
A. To those in need
Proverbs 24:11-12, “Deliver those who are being taken away to death, and those who are staggering to slaughter, O, hold them back. If you say, ‘See, we did not know this,’ Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to His work?” God reminds us to reach to those in need. He knows the feeling of our heart toward our fellow man. The opportunity is ours. Now!
B. To those who have already made a decision and need God’s forgiveness and healing
Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.” We need to help those who have been broken and wounded by the mistakes of the past. They need the forgiveness and strength only our Lord-their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ-can give them.
C. To make others aware of the needs of those around them
The words of the poem Please Touch Me reach out across the generational gap and encourage our loving care to all:
I am your baby; PLEASE touch me.
Not just when you feed or diaper me –
But stroke my legs, my arms, my back, my head.
Hold me close in tenderness that says –
I love you.
I am your teenager; PLEASE touch me.
I need to feel a bond of love coming
through your hands, your arms.
I need to see it in your eyes; hear it in
your voice when we disagree.
Some of me is still a child –
PLEASE touch me.
I am a child with a family of my own.
PLEASE put your arms around me,
Mother, Father, when my heart aches
with heartaches you have known.
Now that I am a parent I see you
differently and love you more.
When you embrace your grandchildren,
don’t forget me!
I am your aging parent; PLEASE touch me
the way my mother did when I was young.
My hair is course and gray but please
stroke it.
My hand is withered, but hold it.
Embrace my tired body.
I need your strength—PLEASE touch me.
(Author unknown)
Will you reach out and touch the lives around you? Will you lovingly encourage those in need?
Will you help others in the way of life? God will show you how, what to say, what to do. Will you let Him use you? May you willingly be His servant and make a difference For Life. Amen.