Listening To The Instructor
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series IV, Cycle B
Object:
Listening To The Instructor
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. (vv. 13-15)
In the March 1994 Charisma magazine, Ed Montgomery tells about the first time he ever went skiing. When he arrived at the ski resort, he did what so many overconfident first-time skiers do. He decided to skip the easy green-colored trails and go straight to the more advanced slopes. After all, he had conquered the skiing machine at his local sporting goods store. With that kind of training he felt he was an expert skier.
Reality quickly set in as he tumbled down a large hill several times. Members of the ski patrol finally escorted him to the "bunny slopes" where he signed up for ski school. He soon regained his confidence after a few actual lessons with a competent instructor.
While riding up the mountain on a chair lift with his instructor for a trial run, Montgomery saw something he could hardly believe. Several small children -- maybe five or six years old -- were skiing effortlessly down a rather steep slope. The children easily maneuvered each turn. They didn't even use poles. He turned to the ski instructor and asked, "How long have those kids been taking lessons?"
The instructor replied, "Oh, about a day."
Montgomery was stunned. When he gathered his senses, he asked, "How could they learn so fast when so many adults -- like me -- take so long just learning to get down the bunny hill?"
The ski instructor matter-of-factly replied, "Because they believe the words of the instructor and expect those words to work."
Touch?.
This is one reason why Jesus implored his disciples to become as little children. They acknowledge their shortcomings and then actually listen to the instructors. Adults think we know it all and can do it all. We have the answers, don't we? Of course, then we fail. Then we learn to trust the words of the instructor. Why don't we save ourselves some grief -- become like little children -- and simply trust the Instructor?
(Compiled from a 3.5 floppy disk of sermon illustrations that was purchased from The Computer Assistant, P. O. 171749, Arlington, Texas 76003, 1-800-477-9029.)
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. (vv. 13-15)
In the March 1994 Charisma magazine, Ed Montgomery tells about the first time he ever went skiing. When he arrived at the ski resort, he did what so many overconfident first-time skiers do. He decided to skip the easy green-colored trails and go straight to the more advanced slopes. After all, he had conquered the skiing machine at his local sporting goods store. With that kind of training he felt he was an expert skier.
Reality quickly set in as he tumbled down a large hill several times. Members of the ski patrol finally escorted him to the "bunny slopes" where he signed up for ski school. He soon regained his confidence after a few actual lessons with a competent instructor.
While riding up the mountain on a chair lift with his instructor for a trial run, Montgomery saw something he could hardly believe. Several small children -- maybe five or six years old -- were skiing effortlessly down a rather steep slope. The children easily maneuvered each turn. They didn't even use poles. He turned to the ski instructor and asked, "How long have those kids been taking lessons?"
The instructor replied, "Oh, about a day."
Montgomery was stunned. When he gathered his senses, he asked, "How could they learn so fast when so many adults -- like me -- take so long just learning to get down the bunny hill?"
The ski instructor matter-of-factly replied, "Because they believe the words of the instructor and expect those words to work."
Touch?.
This is one reason why Jesus implored his disciples to become as little children. They acknowledge their shortcomings and then actually listen to the instructors. Adults think we know it all and can do it all. We have the answers, don't we? Of course, then we fail. Then we learn to trust the words of the instructor. Why don't we save ourselves some grief -- become like little children -- and simply trust the Instructor?
(Compiled from a 3.5 floppy disk of sermon illustrations that was purchased from The Computer Assistant, P. O. 171749, Arlington, Texas 76003, 1-800-477-9029.)
