在1865年，多马·巴拿多（Thomas Barnado）进入伦敦医学院就读时，他的理想就是要到中国宣教行医。不过当他在自家的伦敦大街上，看到许多无家可归、饥寒交迫，在垂死边缘挣扎的孩子，就决心要改变这悲惨的情况。于是，他在伦敦东区成立贫困儿童之家，让将近六万名男女孩童脱离贫困并免于夭折。牧师兼神学家约翰·斯托得（John Stott）说：“巴拿多堪称为街头儿童的守护者。”

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children” (Matt. 19:14 ). Imagine the surprise the crowds—and Jesus’s own disciples—must have felt at this declaration. In the ancient world, children had little value and were largely relegated to the margins of life. Yet Jesus welcomed, blessed, and valued children.

耶稣说：“让小孩子到我这里来，不要禁止他们，因为在天国的，正是这样的人”（马太福音19章14节）。可以想像，这番话一定会令群众和门徒十分讶异。在古时，孩子几乎没什么价值，常被视为社会边缘人。但是，耶稣却欢迎、赐福并看重所有的孩子。

James, a New Testament writer, challenged Christ-followers saying, “Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans . . . in their troubles” (James 1:27 ). Today, like those first-century orphans, children of every social strata, ethnicity, and family environment are at risk due to neglect, human trafficking, abuse, drugs, and more. How can we honor the Father who loves us by showing His care for these little ones Jesus welcomes?

新约作者雅各曾呼吁信徒说：“在上帝我们的父面前，那清洁没有玷污的虔诚，就是看顾在患难中的孤儿寡妇”（雅各书1章27节） 。现今的孩童，如同第一世纪的孤儿一般，在每一个社会阶层、种族和家庭环境里，都存在被忽视、人口贩卖、虐待、毒品残害等风险。耶稣如此疼爱孩子们，我们应如何细心照顾他们，以彰显上帝的慈爱呢？

See the book A Cup of Cold Water in His Name: 60 Ways to Care for the Needy by Lorie Newman at dhp.org/jd007.html.

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Causing to Stumble

6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

The Parable of the Wandering Sheep

10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.