Day 350 | Thursday, 4 March 2021

Day 350 - Audio Version

---

Day 350 | Thursday, 4 March 2021

 I wanted to share a hymn with you for this day as we continue our Lenten journey.  There are not a lot of hymns designated for Lent other than the ones that talk about Palm Sunday the Holy Week events.  The hymn I am quoting below is one ‘good oldie’ for many of us who like traditional hymns.  I am quoting the scripture from which it is based in the Gospel of Mark.  Other scripture references for this hymn are: Matthew 19:13-15, 21:8-9; Mark 11:8-10 and John 12:13.

 Mark 10:13-16 Jesus blesses children CEB
13 People were bringing children to Jesus so that he would bless them. But the disciples scolded them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he grew angry and said to them, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children. 15 I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he hugged the children and blessed them.

The Message
13 The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them.
14 The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom.
15 Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in."
16 Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.

 “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” words: William H. Parker, 1885

1. Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
   Things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here;
   Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
   Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.
2. First let me hear how the children stood round His knee,
   And I shall fancy His blessing resting on me;
   Words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
   All in the love light of Jesus’ face.
3. Tell me, in accents of wonder, how rolled the sea,
   Tossing the boat in a tempest on Galilee;
   And how the Maker, ready and kind,
   Chided the billows, and hushed the wind.
4. Into the city I’d follow the children’s band,
   Waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;
   One of His heralds, yes, I would sing
   Loudest hosannas, “Jesus is King!”
5. Show me that scene in the garden, of bitter pain;
   Show me the cross where my Savior for me was slain;
   Sad ones or bright ones, so that they be
   Stories of Jesus—tell them to me.

​

Holy God, as we journey through these days of Lent, help us recall or reread the stories of Jesus.  Thank you for this wonderful hymn and the story it tells.  Lord, hear our prayers.  Amen