For most of us, yesterday’s quote might have seemed like it was spoken by Captain Obvious.
Every Child Matters – sounds like a summary of a song I learned in Sunday School.
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red, Brown, Yellow, Black, and White
They are precious in his sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
I bet many of you are humming the tune as you read those words. But today, I have questions.
EVERY child? ALL the children?
What if those children pray in a synagogue? Or a mosque? What if they don’t pray at all? What if they live halfway around the world?
Does Jesus still love THOSE children?
I’m not asking simply to be provocative. I’ve had conversations with people who won’t support The Freedom Tour because they prefer to support American children. For these folks, “every child” is conditional.
We partner with Project Rescue because we believe they approach people as Jesus would have… no strings attached. In their Outreach Center, located in the heart of an evil, dangerous red-light district, they offer medical treatment, childcare, vocational training, or simply a place to escape the violence and chaos for a few moments.
They also offer Bible study, believing that people will seek to know more about the source of this kindness and generosity.
When children come to the Home of Hope, it’s different. They learn Jesus loves them because Project Rescue believes restoration and healing are spiritual processes. The missionaries are simply conduits through whom Jesus places his healing hands upon these precious kids.
Personally, I love supporting kids halfway around the world. It’s a statement that every child does indeed matter, regardless of ZIP Code or country, skin color or circumstance.
We make theology complicated. Sometimes, I wonder if we’d be better off reminding ourselves of the song we learned in Sunday School.
Jesus loves the little children – and the not-so-little children – of the world.