Let the little children come to me
Mothers were bringing their children and babies to Jesus hoping he might touch them, but the Disciples were annoyed. In their minds Jesus had more important things to do than to be bothered with children. But Jesus’ response surprised them. “Let the little children come to me… for to such belongs the Kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:14)
Jesus made it clear to his Disciples that children have great worth. They don’t become important after they mature into adults and make a name for themselves. It is our responsibility to nurture them and bring them up in Jesus’ love.
In another verse, (Matthew 18:2-4), Jesus emphasizes the trusting nature of children. The Disciples were arguing over who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus called a child to come to him, and using the child as an example, he explained to the Disciples that to be great they must become humble as this child. While children are still young they are generally more humble, forgiving, and trusting than the adults around them. These are the attributes Jesus wants to see in us as we seek out our Heavenly Father.
Let us take time to reflect on our attitudes toward the children in our lives. Do we brush them aside to take care of more important matters, or do we consider them to be our most important priority of each and every day. Then let us examine our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Are we as willing to trust him as a young child is to trust his mother or father, or are we holding too tightly to the reins in our lives?
Father, help us to better understand the father – child relationship and our roles in it. May we nurture the children in our lives as you would nurture us. And may we also have the trust in you that you rightly deserve as our Heavenly father.