Kids These Days

“A son honors his father. If then I am a father, where is the honor due me? says the Lord.” Malachi 1:6a

Parenthood is one of the great joys of my life. Nothing makes me happier than when my kids are playing together, working together, getting along. The boys are particularly close these days. Joined-at-the-hip close. This works well most of the time, as they each have a built-in best friend. Of course, they invariably get on one another’s nerves once or twice a day. So it goes. But all three bring me joy not so much by doing things for me, but by caring for one another.

Our Old Testament passage from the Daily Texts is a divine lament. What are kids supposed to do? Honor their parents! What are the people doing? Anything but. The immediate context is the bringing of polluted offerings  to the altar and withholding their best from the Lord. The broader context is the utter lack of righteousness among the people. They are failing God in worship and failing to care for one another.

Malachi is, of course, the last of the prophets for 400 years. Not until John the Baptist emerges in the wilderness is there once again a direct word from God. John’s words point toward the Word, the Lamb of God, the atoning sacrifice for the world’s sin. We no longer have to make sacrifice at the altar. Jesus Christ has done this for us. We honor God now with our worship and praise, lived out in lives of righteousness for the sake of those around us.

God delights in our praise, but nothing makes the Father happier than seeing the children of God care for one another. If you want to honor God, take care of your neighbors, near and far.

Be well, friends. You are loved.

Heavenly Lord, your name is worthy of honor and praise. Gives us voices to sing your glory and hands to care for one another. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: The Lyle boys, Christmas Eve. Anders’s and Torsten’s hair by Greta. My hair by nature.