[Dailydevo] Wednesday Devotion

[Barry Ludwig]

Jesus had a special love for children. In an age where children were seen as just one more mouth to feed, he lifted them up and told us that unless we become like them, we cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.  For Jesus, the well being of children was a number one responsibility for God's people.

I had the joy and the sorrow to tour the Lutheran World Federation (of which the ELCA is a part) hospital on the Mt. of Olives. Augusta Victoria hospital serves the needs of all people but especially the old, the very young, and the poor. I visited their oncology unit and their dialysis unit, both filled with children with shaved heads, wide eyes, and uncertain futures.  As a Lutheran, I felt glad a proud to know that as Lutherans we were making a difference in the world for God's children.
I would latter sit in the hospital church and weep, after I was told that the future of this hospital had become uncertain because of oppressive Israeli policy and US foreign policy that had cut off aid.  Surely we cannot allow such a thing to happen. Surely politics cannot be more important than the lives of children?
Jesus teaches us that all children are OUR children. Pray for the children of our world. Let your children and grandchildren know how much you love them and how special they are. Stretch yourself to care for the children of the world. Go to the ELCA national church and navigate to Augusta Victoria Hospital (one of their top three urgent aid missions) and begin with me to stand up for the children of our world.
Do I sound passionate? It is because our Lord is passionate for the vulnerable.