In Mark 10, Jesus said “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”…and he took the children in His arms and… blessed them.’ (verses 14 and 16). These verses in Mark are directed at all children—not only Lutheran kindergarten students, and first, second, and third year students from Lutheran Elementary school, but also at third grader Timea Hoghova.
Eight-year-old Timea decided by herself to be baptized. She learned the meaning and importance of baptism during a summer camp sponsored by the Lutheran congregation at Martin, as well as during the summer Bible school, which is annually organized by the Centre of Christian Education in cooperation with friends from the United States. One afternoon, while walking home with her mother, she announced her desire to be baptised and become a child of God. Timea‘s mother, who had decided to folow Christ herself when she was 14, was in awe – shortly after that she was happy to agree with her daughter’s proposal.
Timea, as well as her friends and family who attended her baptism, would learn that in Baptism, the person who is baptized becomes a child of God. That is why Jesus invites adults to let come to Him all the kids, because to them–the smallest–belongs the kingdom of heaven (Mt 19, 14). Through baptism one receives God’s blessing. According to the promise the kingdom of heaven belongs to baptized children of God. This importance of Baptism was introduced to the children by Natalia Kacianová, the new pastor of the Lutheran kindergarten and first grade of the primary school in Martin.
Timea was given a Bible on the occasion of this solemn moment. At the end of the baptismal speech, Pastor Natália Kacianová asked Timea’s parents, godparents and teachers to read the Bible with Timea. Timea also subsequently heard the invitation to Children’s Sunday school, in addition to the service of God at the Lutheran Church. At Sunday school, Timea was greeted by the 2nd a class, who sang a song for her–“God Loves You!” What a joy! After this, prayer in the Solemn Assembly directed thanks to God for a new life in Christ who today came from God’s grace.
Hedwiga Tkáčová <><
