A Little Child Shall Lead Them: A Child Who Brought Salvation

SERMON TITLE:   “A Little Child Shall Lead Them:  A Child Who Brought Salvation”
SERMON TEXT:    Luke 2:22-40
PREACHER:           Rev. Kim James
OCCASION:           September 27, 2020, at First UMC
 
 
INTRODUCTION
 
                On Thursday morning, I assisted Bill Tibbitts of Crossroads Urban Center in the release of a new report on child homelessness in Weber County.  In our Facebook Live presentation, Bill gave recent-year statistics and some data about the effects of homelessness on children.  I gave my own testimony about adopting two children who had been homeless in their early years, and the lasting trauma and difficulties that their homelessness has caused.  Along with our report of the problem, Bill also gave four recommendations for Weber County.  The hope is that our County Commissioners, state legislators, and school district leaders were listening.  The hope is that many caring citizens will print out this report and hold our public servants accountable for offering a form of salvation for our children.
                Throughout this month of September, we here at First UMC have been focusing our attention on the theme of “A Little Child Shall Lead Them.”  This idea comes from Isaiah 11:6, in the prophet Isaiah’s vision of God’s peaceable kingdom.   God’s kingdom, which is the ideal for all of society, is one in which children are valued and cared for.  God’s kingdom is a place where children’s voices are heard and their needs are given priority--for that’s how a little child shall lead us.
                Over the past weeks, we have read the Old Testament stories of a boy who heard God’s voice, a girl who offered God’s help, and a boy who could speak for God.  Today, we have moved into the New Testament, where the Gospel of Luke tells of baby Jesus, taken to the temple for his presentation to the Lord.  Let’s see how each of the characters in this story affirms that Jesus was “a child who brought salvation.”

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