Jesus Promises Honor Extends to the Family

Mark 9:36-37 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
 
AS Jesus took the child in his arms (Mark is the only gospel to mention Jesus did this.), you can feel and hear the Savior express honor to the child with his welcoming touch and his affirming words. This is very much out of the normal way of life in both the Jewish and Roman cultures. Children had no value other than to raise them to become adults.
   The disciples had just been arguing about who would be the greatest to have a role to rule in the kingdom (Mark 9:33). In response, Jesus taught them kingdom greatness is loving, serving and honoring others – even children – and perhaps especially children.
   Children are vulnerable. They rely on adults to care for them. Most non-Christian cultures today have little regard for children other than some form of property to be utilized for work or income. But the Christian view is to see all children through Jesus’ eyes. You are kingdom great when you open your life to care for those at risk. Further, honoing Jesus is honoring the Father. When you honor a child created in God’s image, you honor the child’s Creator.
   Can you apply this to your family life? What about your home? Husbands, when you honor your wife, you are honoring others who love her – her parents, her children, her siblings and her friends. Wives, when you honor your husband, you are honoring your children, his parents, his siblings and his friends. The same is true of honoring your children. And children, when you honor your parents, you are also honoring your siblings, your grandparents and their friends.  
   Honor to one, whether it is the Son of God or the child of your parents, is an expression of love to those who love him. You are connected emotionally to many people. Wouldn’t it be good if one of those connections is honor?