Mark 9:42 - Family Values, Protecting Children

God often told his people to care for and protect foreigners, fatherless and widows, those who are easy targets for those who would abuse others. Jesus picks up on this theme as tells us to protect children, reminding us that it would be better for those who take advantage of them to have been thrown into the sea with a heavy stone around their necks. As we realize that we have not always protected children as we should we rejoice that Jesus always did in our place. He paid for every sin and cares for each person individually.