Today is the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. It was established as a holiday in 1983, and some view it as just another day off from work or school.

Why make a holiday of this man’s birthday? Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He was both a pastor and a director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was assassinated for inspiring our nation to persevere in opposing racial inequality.

You may remember the song, Jesus Loves the Little Children, written by C. Herbert Woolston. The refrain is well known:

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

In the eyes of our heavenly Father, everyone who comes to Him through faith in Jesus Christ receives the right to become His child (John 1:12). Someday, all His children will be represented around His throne:

And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”  (Revelation 5:9-12)

Physical characteristics that cause division on earth will simply add to the mosaic of praise before God’s throne. Until then, let’s remember—and teach our little ones—that Jesus does indeed love all God’s children.

Ava Pennington
www.AvaWrites.com