No strangers allowed

You probably learned in school that a stranger is anyone you don't know. Even if a person seems nice and wants help looking for a lost puppy or asks you questions on the internet, if you don't know them, stay away!

In this week's Gospel (John 10:1-10), Jesus warned people about another kind of strangers: People who say God sent them when they're really not from God.

"Anyone who sneaks into a sheep pen is a robber," Jesus said; "but when the gatekeeper walks through the gate and calls his sheep, they know his voice and follow him. You're like sheep, and I'm the gate -- only people who come to you through me are safe to follow."

Jesus told us that sometimes, people even pretend to be from God when that isn't true. Jesus was God's Son, but He was the only one! Anyone else who pretends to be God and anyone who is hurtful isn't from God.

If you don't know someone, that person is a stranger to you. The only way to find out if it's okay to talk to them is to ask a grownup you do know.

That's what Jesus said, too. He said people are like sheep and He's like a shepherd, a grownup who takes care of you. Only people who are really from God -- people you know and trust -- are safe to be around.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help the grownups I trust keep me safe from strangers. Amen!