Consider the children

The New Testament names the political rulers during the time that God sent His Son. As I read an outline of their names and characteristics, I’m thinking that nothing much has changed. Our politicians today may speak a different language but they still have the same attitudes and desires for power.

At the time Jesus was born the Herodian dynasty had already been established. Herod the Great was appointed by the Romans as the king of the Jews. He ruled from 37 to 4 B.C., a rule marked by intrigue and bloodshed. One incident stands out in the story of the Christ child that involves both Jesus and many other children . . .

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

Herod found out where Jesus was born, summoned the wise men secretly, and told them to find the child and report back to him. He said he wanted to worship Him but he had other plans. After the Magi found the child and worshiped him, they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod so went home another way.

At the same time, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Joseph took Mary and the child to Egypt and stayed there until Herod died.

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” (Matthew 2:1–18)

I cannot imagine the horror as Roman soldiers slaughtered these little ones. Nothing could erase from memory the brutality that took them from their families.

More recently, I’m seeing many news stories of children being slaughtered, sometimes by enemy factions, sometimes in terrible accidents, sometimes by their own parents. Many more die in fires, floods, hurricanes, and other ‘natural’ weather phenomena, or by illness and starvation. Many millions of children never reach puberty or adulthood. How much of this rests in the hands of politicians who have the power to change their plight? How much can one person do? What can I do?

I know God cares. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14) He loves children, even tells His followers to be childlike in their faith, and take care of widows and orphans. Yet children still die without number.

Some say there is point in the life of a child where they are held accountable to God for their sin. Before that, they are still born as sinners, but God is merciful to their helplessness. If a young child dies, they go into the arms of Jesus. If that is true, then an early death is a blessing and a protection for many whose future is not good. Perhaps heaven is populated by many little ones whom Jesus saved before they were in danger of not being saved.

This is no excuse to ignore the plight of children. Last week, someone told me that there were more abortions in the world than any other kind of death. Another statistic says millions are in some sort of slavery. The world is not treating our children any better than Herod. He killed children trying to get rid of Jesus. Today, the little ones are either in the way or not valued at all. Many needlessly die.

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Lord God, these thoughts are painful. Guide me in what can be done to make a difference, to be a blessing to these little ones that You love, and also to comfort those who grieve for a child taken too early from this world. Thank You for loving us and for commanding us to love each other. Grant me the grace to know and do Your will in blessing those little ones in my life. Enable opportunities to draw them closer to You.