Jesus and the children

Jesus loved people. He was sad when he saw that they were unhappy. He loved joining in their celebrations. He was always helping people and healing those that were ill. And Jesus loved children. Parents brought their children to Jesus when they were ill, and Jesus healed them. He healed an official’s son in Cana without even seeing the boy. When a Greek woman begged Jesus to heal her little girl, Jesus promised that she would be well when she reached her home. And that is what happened. Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead. He healed a boy who had seizures and hurt himself because he did not know what he was doing. One day the disciples were walking along the road. They began to quarrel among themselves. Each one wanted to be the most important disciple. Then Jesus asked a little child to come to him. When the child was standing among all the disciples, Jesus said, “You must not try to be important. You must be like children if you want to be part of God’s kingdom. If you are willing to be like a child you will be important in God’s kingdom. Children know that their parents love them and will give them what they need. That is how you must believe in God and trust him.”

On another day parents brought their children to Jesus. They wanted him to put his hands on their heads to bless them. The disciples did not want the children to bother Jesus. They thought he had more important things to do. They thought he had to talk to the important people, such as the religious leaders. Children were not important! So the disciples told the parents to take away their children.

Jesus saw what they were doing, and he was angry. His disciples had forgotten that he always had time for people who were not important. Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t do that! Don’t keep children away from me! Always let them come to me. God’s kingdom belongs to people like them. It belongs to people who are not important in the eyes of other people. It belongs to people who believe in me without demanding proof that I am the Son of God. It belongs to people who are humble and love my Father in heaven.”

Then Jesus hugged the children. He put his hands on their heads and blessed them.

Mark 10:13-16 Mark 7:24-30 Mark 9:14-27 Luke 8:40-56 Matthew 18:2-4