MARK 9:37. “Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me; and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me.”
THE TESTIMONY OF OTHERS. The Testimony of the Father [v.1-10] The Testimony of John [v.11-13] The Testimony of His power over darkness [v.14-29] The Testimony of His words [v.30-32] The Testimony of a child [v.33-50]
The Father has spoken with words from on high. The disciples are trembling, fearing to die. For this mountain is holy, for on this high place, Two prophets of old, here speak face to face To the Lord there transfigured, and clothing so white. Many years later, remembering that sight; John wrote of His glory, of His grace and His truth. He had been at the mountain, the cross and the tomb; And the impression left deeply carved on his mind; Was – “Jesus only!”
Elias had come, but they didn’t know him. He came out of the desert with warnings for men. He warned them of sin, and of wrath yet to come. He preached of repentance and the wrongs they had done. He told of Messiah, the One promised by God; His life he laid down for the truth that he told. We remember John’s message of warnings and pleas. But of all that John said, most remembered are these,
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” When he saw – “Jesus coming unto him.”
The powers of darkness have so many faces; Their presence is felt in so many places. There are pressures and pain, there is suffering and fear. Where the powers of darkness are, Satan is near. There are lies and deceit, and all that brings down Men and women who never the Savior have owned. But when the Son of God comes, the darkness must flee. For cleansing, forgiving and saving will be Given to those who in their deep need, feel the power of His touch “When Jesus took him by the hand.”
It’s strange about words, because all that is said, Is not what’s expected, and is misunderstood. When He taught His disciples, they couldn’t believe, That the One who could save others, Himself would not save. It is never an option to question God’s Word. If you don’t “get it” now, maybe later you could. You don’t need to rebuke others, because they’re not “us.” Just tell the truth clearly, and it always does What He wants it to do, in His own special time – And so – “Jesus said, ‘Forbid him not.’”
And the children so guiless, what about them? Are they important, can they bring glory to Him? A thousand times “Yes,” because trusting, are they. When He bids them to come, they do what He says. They’re not innocent nor guiless, but quick to believe. And when He shows interest, they want to receive Him who calls them with love – and they willingly come. So too, all others who receive them, He welcomes them too. The Father is received by each, when he Responds as Jesus did – “Suffer the children to come to Me.”
“Thank You, O Father in heaven for making it plain what people in the past thought of the Lord Jesus and how He responded to them in the everyday living of His day. It is not always easy to remember that in everything we do, there are those being influenced by us. Please help me to be alert today. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”