Receiving a little child

Matthew 18 vs 5

“Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me”

As I was studying the word ‘receive’ for a message I am preparing to speak I came across this verse and saw it clearer than I ever have before and it blessed my heart so much.

The word here for receive comes from the Greek word dechomai and it literally means to take by the hand, to receive into one’s family to bring up or educate, not to reject, grant access to, not to refuse friendship, give ear to, to sustain, endure.

I immediately thought of the incredible work of Compassion and my own relationship with Joy and Ramsadan our sponsored children. I want to encourage those who are currently sponsoring a child or children and I want to challenge those who may not be or are considering it at least.

What Jesus is literally saying in this bible verse is that whoever takes a child by the hand and welcomes that child into their family so as to bring that child up and, or educate that child so that that child does not feel rejected and so that that precious child has friendship and someone who is giving an ear to listen to the plight of that child and is willing to sustain that child so that that child can endure is actually also receiving Me - Taking Me, Jesus by the hand and giving Me friendship, granting Me access to and not refusing Me, lending Me, Jesus, an ear to speak to about the plight of that child and other such children so together we can actually sustain these children and give them life.

The incredible thing about this picture is how with one hand we have taken hold of a child and with the other hand we have taken hold of Jesus Himself which is the perfect picture of His Kingdom come and Will being done that I have personally ever seen. With both hands busy being intimate with the LORD and caring for the needy it give no real opportunity to be easily distracted by the meaningless things of life and creates a genuine disciple out of us.

I am excited about seeing more children sponsored, not because it is a good thing to do, but, because it is the God thing to do. 

Please consider sponsoring a child or another child and lend a hand to the LORD in His wonderful plan for His precious little children.

God bless you

 Rob Joy