Sunday, June 20, 2021 - NO

Gospel for God’s Children by Linda Shields:

“I don’t like to be told NO!”

             I work with children. I talk with these children and we discuss things like their likes and dislikes.  One of the most common things they state that they dislike is being told "NO."  

I tell the children that the word "NO" is just a word we all have to get used to, to learn to accept, and to live with.   I say to them, "I'm  65 years old, and I still have to listen to and obey the word "NO."  "No-one should be provoked by the word, it is said to us for our good."  They look at me and frown, because "NO" is not a fun word. 

When our parents tell us "No" you cannot do something, or go somewhere,  or have something,  etc. etcera....  it is because they are older, they know things and experiences, (that you may not know and have not experienced ), and God has given them the responsibility and the authority over the children that he has blessed them with to raise.  Parents say no to their children to keep them safe,  to teach them right from wrong,  and this word "No," believe it our not, proves their deep love for them.  If parents didn't care about their children,  they wouldn't bother telling them "NO!"

I would rather know that my parents loved me by telling me "NO,"  than to be allowed to do whatever I wanted,  because when I was younger I didn't always make the best decisions, and sometimes I got hurt. 

Did you know that even the most famous, powerful and richest son who ever existed in the history of this world, who was loved and cared for the most in history, was also told "NO!"

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, was told "NO" by his father, God. 

At the foot of the Mount of Olives, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked his father, (in Luke 22: 41), "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me.  Yet I want your will, not mine.”

Jesus knew he was born to die on the cross for our salvation. He was the only perfect sacrifice that would be able to take away our sin and save us from the eternal suffering of hell. Although this broke the heart of God, he had to tell his son Jesus, "No," he had to go through the agony and suffering of the cross to save us, his beloved creation. 

The word "No" is for our good.   Without that word "No," our souls would have been lost and separated from God and his love for all eternity. We have Jesus to thank for obeying his Father, and listening to the word "NO."

So the next time you hear the word "NO" this about our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, and the importance of that word "NO." It is for our good. 

Let us pray,   Heavenly Father,  help us to realize and appreciate the word "No." Jesus showed us how great his love is for us, by accepting "No," and obeying the will of his Father for our benefit.  Thank you Jesus,  Amen. 

 God Bless