But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 19:14
Jesus Values Children
In the arms of Jesus, we see a beautiful picture of how much He values children. They hold a special place in His heart, and it’s clear that He invites them to come to Him freely. He understands their innocence and purity, which symbolizes the way we should approach our faith. When we observe Jesus loving and embracing children, it serves as a reminder of our call to nurture that childlike wonder and trust in God. We can draw strength from knowing that Jesus sees the worth in every child. As a community, we should be a safe haven for the children among us, reflecting the love Jesus has for them and teaching them about His grace and kindness.
Mark 10:16
And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. – Mark 10:16
Matthew 18:10
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
Luke 18:16
But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” – Luke 18:16
Matthew 21:15-16
But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” – Matthew 21:15-16
John 13:33
My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. – John 13:33
The Teachings of Jesus about Children
The lessons that Jesus shared with His disciples included valuable insights about children. He taught them that humility and openness, often embodied in the hearts of children, are essential for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. By placing a child among them as a living example, He gently reminded us to embrace a spirit of humility, to trust more, and to hold on to the simplicity of faith. In our own lives, we can look at children and learn from their purity and willingness to believe, encouraging one another to remain steadfast and childlike in our faith.
Matthew 18:2-4
He called a little child to him and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:2-4
Mark 9:37
Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. – Mark 9:37
Luke 9:48
Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” – Luke 9:48
Matthew 19:13
Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. – Matthew 19:13
Mark 10:14
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” – Mark 10:14
Jesus’ Compassion Toward Children
When we reflect on Jesus’ interactions with children, we see an overwhelming message of compassion and love. He did not view them as insignificant; rather, He celebrated their presence and welcomed them into His fold. His heart overflowed with love for children, showing us a picture of His own Father’s love. As we consider this, let us also be inspired to extend our love and compassion to children around us. Every child deserves to feel valued, safe, and loved, just as Jesus has shown us.
1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us. – 1 John 4:19
Matthew 17:5
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” – Matthew 17:5
Matthew 25:40
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40
Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. – Colossians 3:21
Hebrews 13:16
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. – Hebrews 13:16
Encouragement for Parents
As parents, we have the precious responsibility of raising our children in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. Knowing that He cherishes children can inspire us to create an atmosphere of love, joy, and faith within our homes. We can turn to the Lord in prayer, seeking His guidance in our parenting journey. Jesus empowers us to be patient, compassionate, and understanding, reflecting His own heart for our children. With His love as our anchor, we can nurture our children, teaching them about His ways so that they, too, may grow to love Him.
Deuteronomy 6:7
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. – Deuteronomy 6:7
Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4
Psalm 127:3
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. – Psalm 127:3
Proverbs 29:17
Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire. – Proverbs 29:17
Teaching God’s Love to Children
It is our joy and duty to teach children about the incredible love of God. We can introduce them to the Bible, sharing stories that illustrate God’s kindness and grace. By training them to pray and guiding them in worship, we can help shape their understanding of who Jesus is and how much He loves them. When children hear about Jesus loving them, they begin to form their own relationship with Him, growing in faith and love as they learn to trust Him.
2 Timothy 3:15
And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. – 2 Timothy 3:15
Psalm 78:4
We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. – Psalm 78:4
Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
Isaiah 54:13
All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace. – Isaiah 54:13
Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. – Romans 10:17
Jesus and the Blessings of Children
The blessings that children bring are profound, and it is through Jesus that we gain a deeper appreciation for their value. He taught us that children are not only the future but are also models for faith. As we bless children in His name, we look forward to cultivating a generation that wholeheartedly seeks Him. May we always recognize the joy they bring to our lives and surround them with love, encouragement, and spiritual support.
Mark 10:16
And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. – Mark 10:16
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. – James 1:17
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9
Mark 9:37
Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. – Mark 9:37
Matthew 10:42
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward. – Matthew 10:42
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on these beautiful verses about Jesus loving children, we see a powerful message about compassion, humility, and teaching. Jesus modeled the way we should treat children, showing us their significance in our lives and in the Kingdom of Heaven. We are reminded that we have the opportunity to mold the faith of the next generation. By sharing the love of Jesus with children, we invest in their lives and our future. Let’s always strive to be examples of Christ’s love and guide them in their walk with Him.
Encouraging our children and pouring love into them through the lessons of the Bible is indeed a calling we should not take lightly. We must take every chance to help them to understand how valued they are. So let’s continue to cherish these young hearts and teach them about the amazing love of Jesus.
For more enriching topics, we invite you to explore Biblical teachings or look into forgiveness and children as we progress in our spiritual journey together.