Destroying the Children

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

                                                                              (Matt 2:4-8 KJV)

Herod was not in the least bit interested in worshiping this child born in Bethlehem. He wanted to find him so that he could get rid of him.

Why exactly would Herod be so afraid of a child? Could there have any other reason than that Herod believed the prophecy about Jesus? He was afraid. He was afraid that Jesus would replace him. He was afraid that he no longer would be the center; that he would lose his own power and authority; his prestige. It would not be one bit convenient for Herod this baby to grow up. 

After Jesus was born, Herod had ordered all of the children under the age of two years in and around Bethlehem murdered. Fortunately, Joseph had been warned of this in a dream and the family escaped Herod's wrath. Herod's fear of this child was great!

I cannot help but wonder if that is so like the reason so many parents today would rather destroy their children than raise them up in the way that they should go. Are they afraid that the children will grow up and the evil ways of those around them will be exposed and they will no longer have power or authority over the child? Are they afraid that when they are exposed they will no longer be lifted up in anyone else's minds? Are they afraid that the child will be protected by others and grow in the way they should actually be going rather in the self-centered way that the adults around them would have them go.

It is a sad thing when children are neglected and even persecuted so that the adult can look good. A very sad thing, indeed! Adults ought to be protecting them not destroying them for their own convenience and ego's sake.

May God protect the children from adults with their own personal agendas which have very little to do with the children's welfare.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Blessed Are They...

Praise the Lord.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
  who find great delight in his commands.
Their children will be mighty in the land;
  the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
  and their righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
  for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,

  who conduct their affairs with justice.

                                                Psalm 112:1-5 NIV

So often I hear people complain about how the younger generation does not worship the Lord; is selfish and greedy; and really does not care about anyone's well-being except for their own. How did the world get like this? 

I would surmise they have learned it from the generations before them; that would be us. Not just the non-Christians; but, Christians also are guilty of not teaching that God so loves the whole world and not just you or me. When we teach children to worry more about themselves than others than that is exactly what they will do and those children will teach their children to do the same with each generation being more and more self-centered willing to do whatever it is they need to do to get what they desire. Consequently, each generation sees less and less justice. Each generation will be less willing to be compassionate and generous.  When I was young, I knew a few narcissists. Today, I know multitudes who are the center of their universes and not only the center they are their whole universe. No one else matters to them.

May God teach us to teach our children to turn to him and to live compassionately and generously as he compassionately and generously has given to us through his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J