Bible provides inoculations for the soul

Our family laughed recently after our grandson, Henry, received required vaccinations before entering preschool this year. Henry’s leg hurt after the shots, so he walked around without bending that leg. When the other children ran, Henry walked, very slowly. When climbing stairs, Henry pulled on the railing. He asked for help getting into chairs. In some ways Henry looked like an old cowboy who hobbled along after years on a horse. But, Henry did not stop being Henry. He just hobbled along slowly on the way to wherever he was going.

Why would parents (or grandparents for that matter) do that to a child? Why bring a child for immunizations if the shots can cause enough pain to a child so that child even changes the way they walk for a time? You and I both know the answer. The danger posed by the illnesses which the immunizations fight is much worse than a week of a sore leg. Immunizations are not 100 percent foolproof, but the protection they provide is worth a little pain.

I say this because an “immunization” of sorts is offered to parents and families this week at St. John and in many Valley churches. This being the first Sunday after Labor Day, Sunday school starts its regular schedule at 9:45 a.m.!

You see, there are other dangers that threaten our children, and threaten each of us. In addition to the physical danger of disease which endangers the health and physical life of our children, there are dangers to their spiritual health and their eternal welfare in the world around us. Spiritual health is found when any of us, children included, have faith in God’s saving love for us in Jesus, and when we have love for one another. But, the world around us teaches greed, selfishness, indulgence, promiscuity, rebellion, and disobedience. These temptations not only endanger the lives of our children in this world, but also endanger their eternal welfare. So, how do we protect our children and grandchildren?

Inspired by God, St. Paul had the welfare of his young friend Timothy in mind when he gave him the following advice: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

Timothy’s grandmother and mother, Lois and Eunice, had taught Timothy about Jesus from the very beginning. Timothy had known the truth of Scripture “from infancy.” Paul encourages Timothy to continue in the knowledge of the Scriptures because this knowledge is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Paul encourages Timothy to continue in the knowledge of Scripture because such knowledge is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, “so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The desires of our flesh and the temptations of the world around us seem to be growing more intense and dangerous in our time. I fear for the spiritual health and the eternal welfare of my children and grandchildren. But, I am convinced that teaching them about our Lord, teaching about His laws and His plan for our lives, teaching them about His love, and teaching them about His help and strength, is the best thing I can do to protect them and give them health and life. Actually, I need that help too. So we will be in Sunday School this Sunday.

By the way, Henry was at our home the other night running around like the Henry of old. The sore leg is gone, but the protection of the inoculations remains. What is your plan to protect your children and grandchildren and give them spiritual health?

A Child of God, Seeking the Health and Life Found in Scripture, for my Family and Myself,

Pastor Jonathan

Jonathan Rockey is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. Contact him at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

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