Matt 19:14, “But Jesus said, “Let the little children come*~ to me and do not try to stop~| them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

How Jesus loved little children! The disciples were rebuking the parents for bringing their children to Jesus to talk with them and pray for them. Perhaps the disciples thought Jesus was too important or too busy to be bothered with children. But Jesus gave orders to “immediately let the little children come to me” and “cease trying to stop them.”

Apparently, the disciples had missed the recent lesson (Matt 18:2) on children, when He called a child to Him and said, “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” He then added that the characteristic of a child that He admires is humility (18:4): a willingness to trust Jesus’s word without
question.

The beauty of the gospel is that young children can understand it perfectly. The gospel is not a mystery reserved for the initiated, nor is it a highly intellectual theory requiring years of research. On the contrary, the gospel is amazingly designed for anyone who wants to know God and live with Him forever.

When children, or anyone, first recognize that they have broken His law (e.g., “Do not bear false witness or tell a lie” [ninth commandment], or “Do not covet or lust” for what is not yours [tenth commandment]), then they begin to understand their sinfulness—-that is, they are not a “good person.” Now they can see their need for forgiveness.

Jesus came to save sinners (1 Tim 1:15), not those who thought they were good people. Jesus welcomes anyone seeking His forgiveness and acceptance, regardless of age. Care and patience should be taken to ensure this basic understanding for a sincere commitment to Christ.

These children knew enough to want to come to Jesus. Jesus knew that the future of His church was in the hands of these little children. He also knew that the humble, open receptivity of these children was in stark contrast to the stubborn pride of the religious and intellectual people who let their education, pride, or sophistication overcome the simple faith needed to believe in Jesus.

Anyone of any age who comes to Christ in faith with a willingness to trust whatever Jesus says has a warm welcome from Jesus now and later in the kingdom.

“Lord, as a child trusts his father, may my heart and mind always trust whatever You say in Your word. Teach me to obey You as a submissive child.”

 

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