My dear readers,

1. God’s kingdom welcomes children
Mark 10:13-16

Of all the Gospel records of our Lord’s love for little children, Mark’s account is the most illuminating and touching. Young children were brought (by mothers and others) to be blessed by our Lord, but the disciples regarded them as a disturbance, as we may say, a nuisance, noisy, unruly and generally unwelcome.

So the disciples gave them a scolding.

Our Lord was displeased with the disciples’ handling of the situation. His words deserve our careful study. Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."

This changes our focus in Gospel work, giving us a different perspective: children deserve our first priority in our Gospel efforts. They are open to the love of God: their hearts have not yet been polluted or filled by the world’s filth and lust; they are "good soil" for the sowing of the Gospel seed.

If we pass them by as troublesome things, in no time, the world will get them, and a glorious opportunity for the Gospel will be lost.
"And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them."
Let us imitate the Lord as we reach out to children, praying for them and loving each one for the sake of the Saviour. Nothing less will do.

But we need caring and consecrated workers.

2. Let your light so shine
A lighthouse has one function – just one – to shine for seamen sailing in the dark of night. In this world of gross darkness we are as lights, our Lord Himself the Sun. Our function is to shine, to reflect the greater Light.

Our Lord says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt 5:16). How does our light shine?

How does our light shine, and where? Not so much within the church walls, but beyond: in chambers of affliction; in homes where sorrow and despair hang heavy; in every life-situation where souls languish without hope. There our light must shine.

In what form does our light shine? Handing out a tract, speaking a good word for the Saviour, timely visitations of the sick and suffering – let’s do all in the name of our Saviour, and let’s do it quietly. Light simply shines and makes no noise.

So let our lights shine in righteous and clean living, in comforting and helping the needy, in cheerful and encouraging words to one and all. We are living advertisements for our Lord. Men see us, not Him. We are His ambassadors. Will He be proud of us?

If we shine brightly with the love of Jesus, before long, men will say, "In there is a new light!

3. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations"
These are the words of our risen Saviour. By His death He had destroyed the devil, the one who holds mankind helpless in his deadly grip. Jesus gave Himself on the cross, laying down His life a ransom for us all. But death could not hold him – He rose for us victorious from the grave, the third day.

By His resurrection He demonstrated to perishing mankind, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matt 28:18). With all power and authority, Jesus the Prince of Life, calls on His followers: "Go and tell all nations, the Good News – Gospel – that every man may come and receive the offer of life, the free gift of God. This is the only remedy for sin and death."

Our Risen Lord spoke these parting words before He ascended to His heavenly home, to prepare a place for us who believe. What is your response, dear Christian believer?

There are three possible responses to the Gospel call. Number One: Like the disciples of Jesus, many have obeyed the Lord, denied themselves, and taken up the cross to go with the Gospel into the mission field. This mission field, could be a fulltime commitment to a Gospel Mission, either at home or in a foreign country.

Number Two: Some may adopt a certain Gospel Mission or missionary and support him by prayer and finance.
Number three: This third category is an unprofitable servant who does nothing: he does not go or give or pray.
Question: Which category of disciple are you? We are saved at great cost. Our Saviour paid the price of His precious blood to buy us back from the enemy of our souls. To us who have received so great salvation is committed the task of spreading the soul-saving Gospel. On earth the Lord has no hands and feet but ours, no tongue and lips but ours. He depends on you and me to Go and tell.
If you and I will not, who will?

From heaven our Lord says,
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:12).
When Jesus comes, what will you say? What will He say to you?

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor