Biblical Aprons

 

Do you know what this is? This is an apron? Do you have an apron? Does your mom or dad wear an apron when they are baking or grilling?

An apron is really a gigantic napkin or a small table cloth. You can tie an apron around your waist or over your head. It protects your clothing from getting all messy when you’re working in the kitchen or around the grill.

I mention aprons because in our Gospel (Luke 6:27-38), Jesus says, “If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap.” The reason aprons are important is because when Jesus lived, women would go to the market to buy flour to bake bread or cakes, the person selling flour would give them as little as necessary if he did not know the woman. However, if he knew the woman, he would fill his measuring cup with as much flour as he could. Then, he would pack it down. He would shake it together and then pour it into the apron, which would spill into the woman’s lap.

But do you know what Jesus was really talking about here? He was talking about God’s love for you. God loves you so much that we cannot measure it. How much God loves you is totally awesome. God loves you more than your best friend, your favorite aunt, your grandmother or your mom. God loves you more than all of these people combined.

But you know what else? God wants you to love people as much as He does. Are you willing to love people as God loves them? I hope you are. That is a lot of love.

With that, let us pray. Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named, bless these and all children. Give their fathers and mothers the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.