Series 07 English pages Chapter22

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Home -- Content: Series 7 (Laws) -- Translation: English -- Book: 2 (Gospel) -- Chapter: 22 (Conduct 4) -- Text
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The Sharia of Christ in the GOSPEL
G - Commandments of Christ related to our Duties towards Men (CONDUCT)

4. CHILDREN, ORPHANS AND HEIRS IN THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL

Summary

Mark 10:13-16 -- 13 Then they brought young children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." 16 And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.

Matthew 21:15-16 -- 15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant 16 and said to Him, "Do You hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, ' Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have perfected praise ' ?" (Psalm 8:3)

Matthew 18:1-5 -- 1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

John 21:15 -- So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs."

Matthew 18:6-9 -- 6 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! 8 If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire."

Matthew 18:10-14 -- 10 "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Luke 12:13-15 -- 13 Then one from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." 14 But He said to him, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" 15 And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."

Matthew 5:40.42 -- 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. … 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Summary

Jesus loves all children. He understood their trustful, uncomplicated souls. Nevertheless, he did not set up a program for child evangelism, nor did he make a plan for compulsory religious instruction. He trusted believing parents and loving pastors to lead the little ones of the church to himself in their language and according to their limited ability to understand. Jesus testified that the soul of a child often can comprehend the mystery of the kingdom of God more profoundly and rapidly than critically thinking adults, who trust their understanding more than the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus put his arm around all children to protect them with His threatening word from any sexual molestation and ungodly seduction. Whoever entices a child to evil, in word or in deed, through bad example or negligent indifference, for him it would be better to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. This word of God puts a huge responsibility on all parents, teachers, educators, elder brothers and friends. How do we influence the minds of children and teenagers? Do we lead them to the word of God in the spirit of Christ? Shall we tell them superstitious fairy tales, show them horror films, or satisfy all their desires so that they do not learn contentedness, since everything has become available to them? Blessed are those who can tell biblical stories in a vivid manner, so that the work of the invisible God can become visible to them in the lives of specific men. What a blessing flows from children's spiritual songs into their subconscious mind and thus contributes to shaping their future life after the example of Christ!

We give thanks to the Lord for the short statement: “Whoever receives one of these (parentless, or homeless) little children in My name receives Me.” (Mark 9:37) for this verse has established thousands of orphanages. It has also resulted in the adoption of innumerable children, and brought rich blessings to our loveless world. Caring for widows and orphans is the unwritten law of Christ and a continuous program of the Holy Spirit. He that has ears to hear, let him hear!

It is interesting to note, that Jesus did not dictate regulations on how to distribute the inheritance from a deceased person to heirs, as we find in detail in the Qur’an. For Jesus earthly possessions are perishable treasures. He does not waste any time on them and suggests to you that you should give to him, who quarrels with you, what he wants of the inheritance. Forgo your rights, for the Lord will care for you and defend you, and you shall keep your peace. Give to him who quarrels with you more than what he wants. Earthly possession does not bring blessing to him who clings to it. He who wants to keep his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for the sake of Jesus will find it. The Lord delivers us from earthly bindings, and prepares us for our last journey to our permanent and eternal home.

Protecting the inheritance of the fatherless and the property of the homeless, in case of sharing such duties, requires wisdom and faithfulness that we may not fall into temptation and neglect our duties, for we shall give account on that great day for every Cent entrusted to our care. We may not spend the money of the parentless except for their physical or spiritual welfare. We are answerable to God and men for all deposits entrusted to us.

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