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A baby rattlesnake’s venom is more potent than an adult’s. Why? Because it is unable to restrain the delivery of its poisonous payload. Likewise it would seem that the praise of children is more potent before God than their grownup counterparts.

On his way to the cross, Jesus enters Jerusalem. His presence there and the ensuing response provoked the religious authorities. Matthew records the scene.

The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant (Matt 21:15).

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David rises early to be with his God. As he walks the palace grounds, he is delighted by the sound of the birds, who are already singing praises to their creator. The trees register their approval, leaves rustling applause in the gentle breeze. Meanwhile the stars above begin to surrender their majestic posts to the morning sun. David pauses. Enthralled by the majesty of his surroundings, he breaks into worship:

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language

where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

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My wife and I teach fourth and fifth grade students in our children’s ministry. It’s an enjoyable age to teach. The children have not yet been tainted by the cynicism of the world. Yet at the same time they are learning to think and reason on their own terms. They are shaping their faith with their own understanding of the world. Continue reading →

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”(Luke 17:11-19) Continue reading →