Day 35: Jesus welcomes children
There are three children in our family: Miranda is twelve, Eliza is ten, and Luke is four. We all love Luke very much. But he can also be extremely difficult! It’s hard work caring for a little kid, and sometimes none of us want to play with him or read to him or pay attention to him because we’re busy with other things. In our passage today, Jesus’ disciples think Jesus must be much too busy to bother with some little kids. But the disciples are completely wrong.
In verse 13, what were people doing and why?
How did Jesus’ disciples respond (v. 13)?
How did Jesus feel when He saw His disciples telling people off for bringing their little children to Him (v. 14)?
In verse 14, what did Jesus say His disciples should do and why?
This Bible passage changed the way that children were seen. As we saw on Day 32, little kids in Jesus’ day were seen as insignificant. They were treated more like possessions than like people. But Jesus took a very different view, and this is the main reason why people see babies and little children as full humans today.
What does Jesus say about the kingdom of God in verse 15?
How do little children react when you give them a gift?
How could we be more like little children in our response to Jesus’ offer of forgiveness and eternal life with Him?
Adults sometimes act like kids aren’t old enough yet to be real disciples of Jesus. How does this passage help us see that in Jesus’ upside-down kingdom, children don’t have to have faith like an adult, but adults have to have faith like a child?
What did Jesus do for the children who had been brought to Him (v. 16)?
Imagine you were one of those children Jesus took in His arms and blessed. How do you think you would feel?
If you are trusting in Jesus today, you are just like one of those little children! He’s got you wrapped up in His arms, and He’s speaking God’s blessing over you all the time. Any time you feel alone or sad or hurt or afraid, Jesus is right there with you, holding you in His arms. He loves you so much that He died for you. You are incredibly important to Him!
If you have a little brother or sister, how does this story help you think differently about him or her?
What could you do to help your little brother or sister learn about Jesus and receive His kingdom?
Thank God that Jesus is holding you in His arms and blessing you. Thank Him that Jesus will never let go of you. If you have a little brother or sister, pray for him or her to recognize who Jesus is and receive His offer of forgiveness and eternal life.