In the temple, children praised Jesus, who appreciated them (MT 21:16). Mom and Dad taught me to quote John 3:16 before I knew what "begotten" meant. I believed and loved the Bible before I could read it. At age three, I tore a page out of Dad's Bible (from his favorite book Matthew) and received enough of a whipping to where I never showed disrespect to a copy of God's Word again.
Don't disregard children. On this day in the temple, no adults were heard cheering for Jesus. Children were the heroes of this scene. They were fearless, repeating what they heard at the Triumphal Entry. They got it, they understood, they remind us only those who become as little children can receive Jesus.
Surely, Jesus was blessed by hearing someone praise Him in the temple. Whitefield's diary tells about children at Moorfield who blessed him while eggs, mud, and stones were thrown at him. He said children at his feet refused to budge, endured the pelting with him, prayed for him, and cried when he was struck.
When Melanchthon overheard a group of children praying for the success of Luther and the Reformation, he told Luther, who was very discouraged at the time, "Courage, brother, the children are praying for us, and God will hear them." Don't underestimate the spiritual ability of children.
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