Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Children: To be partakers in the concerns of Christ
John 6:1-14“One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother said to Him, there is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people.” (John 6:8-9)
This week, we’ve been meditating on the theme “Children: To be partakers in the concerns of Christ” in relation to World Sunday School Day, a highly relevant topic in today’s society. During my childhood, I often heard from elders that children shouldn’t interfere in the affairs of adults. In some churches and societies, children are sometimes overlooked or not considered in many matters. In today’s passage the miraculous feeding the five thousand they counted five thousand men only the children and women were not counted. Today’s scripture helps us cultivate an awareness and a fresh perspective on considering children in the ministry of the Kingdom of God. Children are not just the church of tomorrow. They are the church of today as well. The Gospel of John 6:1-14 is a vivid account of Jesus feeding the multitude with just five loaves of bread and two fish. But it’s not merely a miraculous display of Jesus’ power; it’s a profound lesson on partaking in the concern of Christ. I like to frame today’s meditation with three simple thoughts.
Embracing the concerns of Christ over the priorities of crowd culture
“A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick.” (John 6:2) John used the Greek word ochlos to indicate the crowd who followed Jesus. The word ochlos indicates as unorganized people, crowed without focus, people gathered together for many reasons and agendas. When we read Mark’s Gospel 6:34“Jesus saw a large crowed and he felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” We see the attitude of the crowed and realize that even today, people have different motivations for seeking him. Jesus is challenging His disciples for feed the spiritual and physical thirst and hunger of the people. Here disciples were initially concerned about feeding the crowed in that context a small boy responded selflessly to participate in the priories of Christ by offering his five bread and two fish. The miracle of multiplying the loaves and fish was not just a display of Jesus’s power but also the attitude of a boy embracing the concerns of Christ, which often involve faith, compassion, and selflessness, can lead to miraculous outcomes that transcend the limitations of crowed culture.
Engaging in Christ’s concerns with a childlike, willingness
A young boy offering his meager meal of five loaves and the two fish when disciples contemplated the impossibilities. The boy exemplifies the simplicity, faith and generosity that Christ values. He didn’t think about the insufficiency of his offering but trusted that it could be used to make a difference. The child’s willingness to give reminds us that generosity knows no age limits. Regardless of our age, we can all make meaningful contributions to Christ’s concern’s. The scripture doesn’t tell children to become like adults to be saved. Rather it tells adults to become like children to be saved. “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mtthew 18:3). God is always looking for people who were willing to give joyfully, without any reservation.
“Children: to be partakers in the Concerns of Christ” is not just a theme for today but a constant reality in our Christian journey. It reminds us that children have a vital role in our faith community and in the concerns of Christ. Every child has a unique part to play in the grand story of God’s mission. Let us embrace their childlike faith, generosity, and inclusion as we serve Christ in our world. Just as the child’s offering multiplied to meet the needs of the crowd, our collective efforts, driven by childlike faith, can address the concerns of Christ in our communities, and churches.
Embracing the concerns of Christ over the priorities of crowd culture
“A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick.” (John 6:2) John used the Greek word ochlos to indicate the crowd who followed Jesus. The word ochlos indicates as unorganized people, crowed without focus, people gathered together for many reasons and agendas. When we read Mark’s Gospel 6:34“Jesus saw a large crowed and he felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” We see the attitude of the crowed and realize that even today, people have different motivations for seeking him. Jesus is challenging His disciples for feed the spiritual and physical thirst and hunger of the people. Here disciples were initially concerned about feeding the crowed in that context a small boy responded selflessly to participate in the priories of Christ by offering his five bread and two fish. The miracle of multiplying the loaves and fish was not just a display of Jesus’s power but also the attitude of a boy embracing the concerns of Christ, which often involve faith, compassion, and selflessness, can lead to miraculous outcomes that transcend the limitations of crowed culture.
Engaging in Christ’s concerns with a childlike, willingness
A young boy offering his meager meal of five loaves and the two fish when disciples contemplated the impossibilities. The boy exemplifies the simplicity, faith and generosity that Christ values. He didn’t think about the insufficiency of his offering but trusted that it could be used to make a difference. The child’s willingness to give reminds us that generosity knows no age limits. Regardless of our age, we can all make meaningful contributions to Christ’s concern’s. The scripture doesn’t tell children to become like adults to be saved. Rather it tells adults to become like children to be saved. “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mtthew 18:3). God is always looking for people who were willing to give joyfully, without any reservation.
“Children: to be partakers in the Concerns of Christ” is not just a theme for today but a constant reality in our Christian journey. It reminds us that children have a vital role in our faith community and in the concerns of Christ. Every child has a unique part to play in the grand story of God’s mission. Let us embrace their childlike faith, generosity, and inclusion as we serve Christ in our world. Just as the child’s offering multiplied to meet the needs of the crowd, our collective efforts, driven by childlike faith, can address the concerns of Christ in our communities, and churches.
Prayer
O Lord thank you for the precious gift of children in our family and church. Empower them to be active participants in your concern’s. Amen
Rev. Renny Varghese
Virginia Immanuel MTC