Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, Grace and Peace of Christ Jesus be with you all !!!
As
we mark the last day in this month of January, let us pause and give thanks to
our Heavenly Father for the gift of life. Each day, each breath, and each
moment is a precious blessing from His hand. Though this month may have brought
its share of challenges, it has also been filled with His grace, and His
unfailing Love.
Let
us turn our hearts to Matthew 18:1-5, where Jesus teaches us a profound truth
that can guide us and transform our struggles into stepping stones of spiritual
growth as we enter this new month.
“At that
time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child to him and placed the child among
them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little
children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes
the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And
whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’” (Matthew 18:1-5,)
In
this passage, Jesus invites us to embrace the heart of a child, a heart marked
by humility, trust, and dependence. Life’s challenges often weigh us down,
causing us to question our worth, our purpose, and even God’s presence in our
lives. But Jesus reminds us that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who
approach Him with childlike faith.
Humility:
The Path to True Greatness: The disciples, like many of us, were preoccupied with
greatness. They wanted to know who among them would be the most honored in
God’s kingdom. But Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, pointed to a child, a
symbol of humility and simplicity. Our world often glorifies power,
success, and self-sufficiency. Jesus
calls us to take the “lowly position” of a child. This means laying down our
pride, our need for control, and our desire for recognition. As Proverbs 3:34
reminds us, “He mocks
proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.” When we humble ourselves before
God, we open our hearts to His grace and His perfect plan for our lives.
Trust:
Resting in God’s Promises: Children trust without reservation. They don’t worry about
tomorrow; they simply believe that their needs will be met. Jesus calls us to
trust Him in the same way, especially when life feels uncertain. This reminds
us of the prayer of “Our Father” where we ask God to give us each day our daily
bread.
In
Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus assures us, “Do not worry about your life… Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” When we face financial struggles,
health issues, or broken relationships, we can rest in the assurance that our
Heavenly Father knows our needs and will provide for us. Let us surrender our
anxieties to Him and trust in His unfailing love.
Dependence:
Leaning on God’s Strength: A child depends entirely on their parents for protection,
guidance, and provision. In the same way, Jesus calls us to depend on Him
completely. In John 15:5, He says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I
in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” When we feel weak, overwhelmed, or
inadequate, we must remember that our strength comes from the Lord. He is our
refuge and our fortress, our ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Let us
lean on Him, knowing that His power is made perfect in our weakness (2
Corinthians 12:9).
Welcoming
Jesus in the Midst of Our Struggles: Jesus concludes this passage by saying, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name
welcomes me.” When
we embrace humility, trust, and dependence, we welcome Jesus into our lives.
And when we extend love and compassion to others, especially the vulnerable and
the broken, we are loving Christ Himself. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the
least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Even in our own struggles, we can
be a source of hope and encouragement to others, reflecting the light of Christ
in a dark world.
A Call to
Childlike Faith: Dear
Sisters and Brothers, life’s challenges may seem insurmountable, but Jesus
invites us to come to Him with the heart of a child. Let us lay down our
burdens at His feet and trust in His goodness. Let us humble ourselves, knowing
that true greatness is found in serving others and glorifying God. And let
us depend on His strength, for He is our Rock and our Redeemer.
As
we navigate the storms of life, may we remember the words of Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” In the stillness of childlike
faith, we will find peace, hope, and the assurance that our Heavenly Father is
with us every step of the way.
Let
us pray:
Heavenly
Father, we come before You as Your children, humbly seeking Your presence. We thank You for the gift of life and for carrying
us through the month of January. Teach us to trust You with the simplicity
and faith of a child. Help us to depend on Your strength and to find joy in
serving others. May our lives reflect Your love and bring glory to Your name.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen🙏🙏🙏.
Let us go forth, dear brothers and sisters, with childlike
faith, knowing that we are deeply loved and eternally held by the One who
created us. May His peace fill our hearts as we step prepare to step into the
new month with gratitude and hope. Amen
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