Today's Passage - John 19:25

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 19:25   "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene."   When Jesus' mother was standing in front of the cross, she might be reminiscent of the past: bringing of the good tidings to her by the angel; the worship of the wise men when Christ was born; the astonishment of the Pharisees when Jesus preached with authority in the temples; the enormous pride she had for Jesus when He performed miracles in front of His followers!  But now God's time had come that Jesus had to be hung and died on the cross according to God's will; this is such a heart-ache for her! Yet she was willing to entrust her son to God.  Brothers and sisters, as parents ourselves, are we willing to entrust our children to God and be used by Him?     Although we brought up our children looking after their interests, but in reality it is also for our own pride. This is especially true for Chinese as we all want to glorify our ancestors and hope our children will take care of us when we get old. Aren't we doing all these for our own good?  Perhaps you may say, "Well, I am not asking that much!  We only hope that we would not be embarrassed."  Isn't this also for our own good? Brothers and sisters, God give us our children not to live out our lives, but our children are entrusted to us so that we may teach them to live for God.  Do not be fooled by the fact that since you are a Christian and your children would be Christians automatically.  A pastor once said, :"God has only sons and daughters, but no grandsons or granddaughters." We need to bring them to God individually setting up an example for them.    Oscar Smith once said that there are actually five gospels:  Mathew, Mark, Luke, John and the one written by ourselves. Most people read the first four gospels, and yet people around you are reading the last one. Before your children start learning, they are already learning after you regardless good or bad.  As parents, we are anxious to change our children and measure them according to our meter sticks, but ironically, our children are also measuring us the same way!  May I ask how are we, as parents, in the eyes of our children? Or more appropriately, how are we as Christians in their eyes?   May the Lord help us so that we would recognize that our children can see clearly, and that we need to teach them according to God's principles so that they may be steadfast and serve the Lord all through their lives.  Perhaps when Mary stood before the cross thinking what Simon said to her when holding little Jesus, "Your hearts will also be pierced by the sword."  Hearing what Simon told her, I believe Mary would have accepted it willingly so that she would see the glory and the will of God fulfilled in her son! Those of us who are parents, are you willing to offer your children to be used by God?                                Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, may you bless every one of us as parents so that we are willing to offer our children to be used by you, follow your guidance and teachings so that our children will become the  vessels in your hands.  With thanks we pray, in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!