Children’s Sermon

Mark 6:1-13

Those Who Will Listen

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Many years ago there was a saying that went like this: “Children should be seen and not heard.” At that time children were not allowed to speak freely, and certainly not shout, when adults were present. Children were expected to stay very, very quiet, especially when there were guests in the home. Thankfully times have changed and adults now encourage children to share in conversations and they try to listen very carefully to what children say. We like to hear your ideas and learn about your interests and activities.

All of us have experienced times when we have difficulty getting others to listen to us.

You may have tried to talk to your mom or dad, sister or brother when the television or radio is on and they are unable hear you. Or perhaps they are busy concentrating on a task and aren’t aware that you are talking.

If you have a cat you know that you can ask a cat to do something and the cat just ignores you. It doesn’t feel good to be ignored.

In the Bible we learn that the same thing happened to Jesus. He went with his disciples to his hometown. While he was there people did not respect him or believe what he said, even though he had performed many miracles.

He sent his disciples out to tell everyone about God’s love and he gave them this advice: If people don’t “receive you nor hear you” move on (6:11).

So the disciples went out and told those who would listen about the good news of God’s love. And that is good advice for all of us, children and adults; that we share the good news of God’s love with those who will listen.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible

Copyright 2007, Richard Niell Donovan