Jesus Loves the Little Children
{This post is a bit more personal, but I thought it might still be an encouragement to be reminded of God’s love and our great need.}
Jesus loved little children. The gospel writers tell us about his love in their recounting Jesus’ life. When people brought their children to him to have Jesus lay his hands on them and pray, the disciples rebuked them (cf. Matthew 19:13). The text does not say exactly why they rebuked these parents, but we do know that shortly before they were busy discussing bigger, more important (to them) issues, such as, “’Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’” (Matthew 18:1).
To answer their question, Jesus had placed a little child in the middle of them and told them,
“’Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 18:3-4)
The disciples were figuring out who would be the greatest in heaven, while Jesus was teaching them that humility like a child was necessary to even enter heaven. Jesus then informed the disciples that “’Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me’” (Matthew 18:5). He later warned them,
“’See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.’” (Matthew 18:10).
All this to say, that when Jesus and the disciples moved on to where parents were bringing their children to be blessed, the disciples should have known better than to rebuke them. Jesus instead welcomed the children:
“‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 19:14)
Jesus was not looking for kingdom warriors to make the kingdom look good. He was not searching for the rich and powerful to surround himself with wealth and strength (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:26-30). He loved children, and he wanted others to receive his kingdom like a child does (cf. Mark 10:15) and to serve the least as unto Him (cf. Matthew 25:40).
Children do not have much to offer. They are humble, innocent, and trusting. To love a child is to give without much tangible “return” (in terms of a give and take culture).
But to love and serve the lowliest is what Jesus did.
My sweet nephew Evan was born 13 years ago with missing brain tissue and has had a myriad of related issues in his short life. Not only was Evan a child, but he was a child who has been completely helpless to care for himself. His parents—Steve and Jess—along with their whole family have fed and clothed him. They have nursed him in illness. They have loved the “least of these,” the humblest of the humble, and thus have done it to Jesus himself.
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:40).
Evan’s health rapidly declined over the past couple of weeks. On July 2 he was carried into the presence of his Savior. He was not hindered, for the kingdom of heaven is made up of such little children. Jesus welcomed him home with open arms.
May we, like Jesus, welcome and serve the least of these, as Jess and Steve have done so well. May we also come to Jesus like little children, in humility and trust, remembering Jesus’ words:
“’Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’” (Mark 10:15)
Holly Huffstutler serves with her husband David, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Rockford, IL. She blogs with him here where this post first appeared. Holly is a homemaker, raising and schooling her four children.