Today, in our society, much is spoken of regarding the rights and up-bringing of children.
What should they be taught in school?
How should they be disciplined?
Both areas of course which should be addressed, and yet often with no biblical perspective whatsoever.
When we look at children, one thing that we see is potential!
You have no idea what that child could become: a doctor who saves many lives;
perhaps a genius in a field of science or mathematics; or a person who has great influence within their own community and family.
I want to look at two babies today, the potential they had, and the destiny they fulfilled.
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Luke 1 v 39- 44
It is speaking, of course, of Jesus and John the Baptist. Let’s look at this story a little more.
Mary was in a difficult position no doubt. A young unmarried woman, pregnant with a child.
Who would understand, or give sympathy? The culture of her day put her in a very dangerous position.
Today many “problem babies“ are gotten rid of. Wrong time, wrong circumstances or just plain unwanted.
Yet this godly young woman realises she has responsibilities, and more than that; a privilege. Imagine what would have happened should she try and abort God's plan to save fallen man! Yet she was aware even an unborn baby had an intrinsic value.
Genesis 1 tells us “God made man in His image”. That gives each human life great worth. This child was born to die. This child was born to save!
Then there’s John the Baptist – he’s such an interesting child! Luke 1 v 41 describes him as “the babe”. Not an inconvenience born to ageing parents, not a foetus even, but a baby.
He had feelings and awareness and a destiny to fulfil. Verse 44 tells us he had “joy ” too!
Think of that - this baby recognised Christ before anyone else! Before religious leaders, before His disciples - and he was joyful because of it.
Our children are a blessing from the Lord. Of all the rights we speak of - the fundamental right is the right to be born. Ronald Reagan ex-president of the USA once famously said: “I noticed everyone who is for abortion has already been born”.
John Calvin put it like this “The foetus, though enclosed in the womb of its mother, is already a human being (homo), and it is almost a monstrous crime to rob it of life which it has not yet begun to enjoy. If it seems more horrible to kill a man in his own house than in a field, because a man’s house is his place of most secure refuge, it ought surely to be deemed more atrocious to destroy a foetus in the womb before it has come to light”.
Let us love honour and cherish our children. See them as the gift of God that they are. Raise them in a manner to help them realise the potential they have. Let us do all we can to signpost them to Jesus, the one who alone can change all of our lives and eternal destination.
Till next month. Love and blessings.
Pastor John