What Jesus Did! 'Welcome the Child' — Mark 9:36-37

Saturday, June 22, 2024

Happy Thanksgiving

We're thankful for your prayers, encouragement, and financial support!

 #thankful
Then [Jesus] put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me."
— Mark 9:36-37 NLT

Key Thought

How we treat those from whom we can receive nothing in return determines our hearts. In Jesus' day, most people did not consider children to be significant in the social pecking order. In many ways, that condition still exists today - notice how day-care workers and teachers are still among the lowest-paid workers in many modern countries. So Jesus reminds his followers that the way they welcome, treat, and value children reveal a great deal about their hearts. What does it say about our own?

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for challenging me to value people whom others neglect, devalue, and overlook. Help me follow through on my conviction to love all people, especially those from whom I can receive no monetary, status, or power benefit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Act of God
Article by Rubel Shelly
Let's turn this phrase on its ear! Rubel Shelly talks about the term act of God and turns the phrase around to be a call to action for God's people.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 9:36-37 NLT — "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, June 22, 2024

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Ephesians 1:7
"Could there be a sweeter word in any language than that word "forgiveness," when it sounds in a guilty sinner's ear, like the silver notes of jubilee...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Live with Devotion and Hope in Jesus'
"And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
1 John 1:8-9
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Abraham Lincoln:
"It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their own independence upon the overruling power of God ... and to recognize the sublime truth announced in....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!