Whenever I read the story of the child Samuel in the first book of his name, I experience the phenomenon of tears running down my cheeks at the scene at night of the young boy running to Eli to say, “Here I am. You called me.” (1Samuel 3: 1-10) It took three trips to Eli before he recognized the Spirit of God in the boy Samuel and said, “Go and lie down, and if He calls you, say ‘ Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” (1Samuel 3:9) Earlier we are told that “Samuel did not yet know the Lord. The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.” ( 1Samuel 3:7) We also learn that The word of the Lord was rare; there had not been many visions. ( 1Samuel 3:1)

The pipeline to God that had accompanied the Israelites through Moses and Joshua, and subsequently through a number of “judges”, had seemed to dry up. The promises had been fulfilled, but there was now a silence in the nation. The calling of Samuel comes as a breath of renewing air into Israel.

Whenever I read of this young boy, I hear the voice of Jesus say, “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. (Matthew 18:10), and even stronger: Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ( Matthew 18:3)In no other age group does Jesus place so much emphasis, and such unequivocal assertion of God’s care and attention as to children.

On Sunday we will celebrate “Palm Sunday”: The children were shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!,” “ Do you hear what the children are saying?” the priests and teachers asked him.

“Yes,” replied Jesus, “Have you never read, ‘from the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise?” (Matthew 21:15)

The history of salvation becomes focused with the improbable birth of Isaac, and includes the birth of Moses, whose sister ensured his survival by offering the Egyptian princess a wet nurse who was in fact his mother.

The birth of Samuel eventually gave Israel two kings. When Samuel answered the call of God, the history of salvation was carried in the hands of a child. On Sunday, we will hear songs of praise from the lips of children as they wave their palms.

Love in Him,

Prue