Jesus Christ: Friend of Children

welcome me, but also the One who sent me.” Mark 9:36-37 36  “ [Jesus] took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms,  he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not only welcome me, but also the One who sent me.”

but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus Mark 10: 13-16 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 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.15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not welcome the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Matthew 18: 1-6 Childlike humility is needed in the Kingdom of God Welcoming a child in Jesus’ Name A Warning about misleading children

Matthew 18: 10-14 “Parable of The Lost Sheep” Emphasis in this version is on Jesus’ desire that none of the children become “lost.”

Jesus showed particular concern for children because He wanted His followers to be particularly attentive to the poor and the defenseless. What is done for them will be accepted as a sacrificial gift to Him (Matthew 25:40).

Children cannot live without trusting those around them. A child trusts without thinking. Children cannot live without trusting those around them. To encounter God, the best thing we have is a child-like (not childish) heart that is trusting and open, that simply dares to ask and rests in being loved.

“Welcome the Kingdom of God like how you welcome a child.” Jesus could also mean: “Welcome the Kingdom of God like how you welcome a child.” Welcoming a child means welcoming a promise. A child grows and develops. In the same way, the Kingdom of God on Earth is never a finished reality but rather a promise. Children are unpredictable…but Jesus insists that they must be welcomed because they are there. In the same way, we are called to welcome God’s presence when He reveals Himself, whether it is convenient or not.

“Letting Children Come to Jesus” in Ministry at NBFMC: 1.) Strive for unconditional love with necessary discipline. 2.) Don’t “exasperate” them. 3.) Learn their name & “story.” 4.) Give opportunities to serve and to lead. 5.) Praise attempts at growth.

When we accept that Jesus sees us all as “little ones” under His care, our pride gets put in check and we can better reach out in child-like faith together!