Let the Little Children Come Unto Me
In church this morning, a kind missionary lady told the children’s story. She summarized the Easter story, and explained, “Jesus took the punishment for all of us – for all the bad things we do.”
She spoke the truth. The adults nod in agreement. We rejoice that we have been forgiven. Our sins are washed away. But… what about the little children? How do they perceive this message? Should they believe her? Could they be confused? Do they recall the last time they disobeyed their parents and had to submit to a spanking? Do they remember being punished regularly for the bad things they have done? Even after Christ’s sacrifice, do children still have to bear the punishment for their sins?
In the eyes of a child who lives under the threat of punishment for disobedience, grace appears to be only a wonderful hope in Bible stories.
Author and scholar Samuel Martin reminds us, “When parents sin, they ask God to forgive them, repent and know they are forgiven. When children sin, they are judged, tried, condemned and punished.”
Spanking is a punishment for the violation of a law.
Galatians 5:4 says “you are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by law; you are fallen away from grace.”
Galatians 5:18 says “if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
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