“These Little Ones”

[Jesus said] “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6, ESV).
Pastors hear a lot of excuses from people who haven’t been attending church: “I have to work on Sundays.” “The weekend is my only time to get away.” “I know what Jesus did; I don’t need to hear it every week.” “I’m too tired.” “Sundays are the only days our family can be together.” “Our kids are too distracting. We can’t focus on the sermon, and the kids aren’t getting anything out of it either.” There is no God-pleasing excuse to neglect the Means of Grace.
But even some with perfect church attendance (including pastors) make excuses when it comes to the responsibility of cultivating a rich devotional life in the home. “I have to work.” “There isn’t time for a devotion today.” “We need to get back to the game/movie/etc.” “I’m too tired.” “The kids and I already know what Jesus did for us.” “It’s too loud and chaotic to have a devotion. No one can concentrate on it anyway.”
When parents fail to nurture their children in the Christian faith by teaching them at home and taking them to church, they sin greatly. They cause their children to stumble in the faith by their bad example and wrong priorities, and they sin against God by failing to raise His baptized children according to His Word.
On account of our laziness, ineptitude, and selfishness, everyone who interacts with children deserves “to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”
But the Lord has had mercy upon us. God the Father punished His only Son for our offenses. Jesus was cast into hell’s fiery lake and was drowned in death with the millstone of our sins around His neck. Our sins sank to the depths never to resurface, while Jesus rose again in glorious victory.
He forgives our failures toward His “little ones.” He encourages us to walk confidently ahead in His grace. We cannot get back the hours lost in fruitless pursuits. We can commit ourselves to do more for the smallest saints among us.
Training children is a serious responsibility. Some pastors underscore this responsibility by wearing a clerical collar, which is a symbol of the millstone Jesus talks about. Parents, pastors, and any others with the task of spiritual care must above all else point children to their Savior. Through the Gospel, they and we grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.
As children grow in the faith, they can surprise their elders with how dearly they treasure the Gospel and how clearly they confess it. They are often the ones urging prayer, devotions, and church attendance. God encourages you through them, just as He wants to encourage them through you.
Through the hearing, learning, and sharing of His Word, our Lord and Savior will continue to be honored, and you and the little ones in your care will continue to be strengthened and kept steadfast in the true faith.
Reverend Peter Faugstad
Parkland Lutheran Church
Tacoma, WA