How Children Are Important to Jesus

Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity, often emphasized the importance of children in His teachings.

This significance is not just a peripheral part of His ministry but a core element that reflects His love, care, and profound respect for the innocence and purity of children.

In this article, we’ll explore how children are important to Jesus, drawing from biblical passages, parables, and the broader context of His teachings.

Children in the Teachings of Jesus

One of the most notable instances where Jesus highlighted the importance of children is found in the Gospel of Matthew.

Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

He responded by calling a little child to Him and said,

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

This statement is profound for several reasons:

#1. Humility:

Children are naturally humble.

They don’t boast or think highly of themselves, qualities that Jesus values.

#2. Trust:

Children exhibit a pure and simple trust, an essential trait for those who follow Jesus.

#3. Innocence:

The innocence of children mirrors the purity Jesus seeks in His followers.

Jesus Welcomes Children

In another instance, people brought little children to Jesus, hoping He would place His hands on them and pray for them.

The disciples rebuked these people, but Jesus said,

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).

This incident underscores several key points:

#1. Inclusivity:

Jesus’ message is for everyone, including the most vulnerable and least powerful.

#2. Value:

Jesus sees immense value in children, viewing them as an integral part of the kingdom of heaven.

#3. Blessing:

By placing His hands on the children, Jesus physically and spiritually blesses them, showing His deep affection and care.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Jesus’ parables often illustrate His teachings in simple, relatable ways.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:12-14) is particularly relevant.

In this story, a shepherd leaves his ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost.

Jesus concludes by saying,

“In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.”

This parable highlights:

#1. Individual Worth:

Every child is precious to Jesus, just as the one lost sheep is valuable to the shepherd.

#2. Divine Care:

God’s care for children is relentless and all-encompassing, showing His unwillingness for any to be lost.

#3. Rejoicing:

There’s great joy in heaven over the return or salvation of each child, emphasizing their importance.

Jesus Heals Children

Jesus’ healing miracles often involved children, demonstrating His compassion and the high regard He holds for them.

Some notable examples include:

#1. The Daughter of Jairus:

In Mark 5:21-43, Jesus raises Jairus’s daughter from the dead.

This miracle shows His power over life and death and His willingness to respond to the faith of a parent seeking help for their child.

#2. The Syrophoenician Woman’s Daughter:

In Mark 7:24-30, Jesus heals a Gentile woman’s daughter, showcasing His mercy and the extension of His grace beyond cultural and religious boundaries.

#3. The Boy with an Unclean Spirit:

In Mark 9:14-29, Jesus heals a boy possessed by an unclean spirit.

This healing underscores Jesus’ authority over spiritual forces and His care for the afflicted.

Jesus and the Childlike Faith

Jesus often pointed to the qualities of children as examples of the faith and attitude He desires in His followers.

In Mark 10:15, He says,

“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

This statement highlights:

#1. Simplicity:

The faith of a child is straightforward and uncomplicated, an essential quality for true belief.

#2. Dependence:

Children rely entirely on their parents for their needs, mirroring the dependence Jesus wants His followers to have on God.

#3. Openness:

Children are open to learning and accepting new truths, an attitude Jesus encourages in His teachings.

Caring for Children

Jesus not only emphasized the spiritual qualities of children but also underscored the importance of caring for them. In Matthew 18:6, He warns,

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

This strong statement underscores:

#1. Protection:

Jesus calls for the protection of children, highlighting the severe consequences of leading them astray.

#2. Responsibility:

Adults have a responsibility to guide and nurture children in their faith and moral development.

#3. Purity:

Keeping children from stumbling reflects the importance Jesus places on maintaining their purity and innocence.

Conclusion

Children hold a special place in the heart of Jesus.

Through His teachings, parables, and actions, Jesus consistently highlighted their importance, not just as individuals but as exemplars of the qualities He desires in all His followers.

By valuing humility, trust, and innocence, welcoming and blessing children, and demonstrating divine care through healing and protection, Jesus set a clear example of how His followers should view and treat children.

Understanding Jesus’ perspective on children can deeply enrich your faith and influence how you interact with and care for the young ones in your life.

Embrace the childlike faith Jesus praised and strive to protect and nurture the children around you, reflecting His love and compassion in all your actions.

FAQs: How Children Are Important to Jesus

Q. Why did Jesus emphasize the importance of children in His teachings?

Jesus emphasized the importance of children to highlight their qualities of humility, trust, and innocence, which are essential traits for anyone seeking to enter the kingdom of heaven.

He used children as examples to teach His followers about the virtues of a childlike faith and the value of every individual in God’s eyes.

Q. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Let the little children come to me”?

When Jesus said,

“Let the little children come to me,”

He was expressing His love and acceptance of children, indicating that they have an essential place in the kingdom of heaven.

This statement also underscores the inclusivity of Jesus’ message and His desire for everyone, including children, to come to Him.

Q. How did Jesus demonstrate His care for children?

Jesus demonstrated His care for children through His actions, such as healing them, blessing them, and using them as examples in His teachings.

Notable examples include raising Jairus’s daughter from the dead, healing the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter, and casting out an unclean spirit from a boy.

Q. What qualities of children did Jesus highlight as important for His followers?

Jesus highlighted several qualities of children that are important for His followers, including humility, simplicity, trust, dependence, and openness.

These traits reflect the kind of faith and attitude Jesus desires in His disciples.

Q. How can we apply Jesus’ teachings about children in our lives today?

We can apply Jesus’ teachings about children by nurturing and protecting the young ones around us, fostering their faith and moral development, and striving to embody the qualities of humility, trust, and innocence in our own lives.

Additionally, we should ensure that our actions and teachings do not lead children astray but rather guide them toward a strong, positive relationship with God.

Q. What did Jesus mean by saying we must “become like little children” to enter the kingdom of heaven?

When Jesus said we must “become like little children” to enter the kingdom of heaven, He meant that we need to adopt the qualities of children, such as humility, trust, and innocence.

These traits are crucial for a genuine and wholehearted faith in God.

Q. Why is it important to protect and care for children according to Jesus’ teachings?

Protecting and caring for children is important according to Jesus’ teachings because He values their innocence and purity.

Jesus strongly warned against leading children astray and emphasized the severe consequences of causing them to stumble.

This highlights our responsibility to nurture and safeguard the spiritual and moral well-being of children.

Q. How does the Parable of the Lost Sheep relate to Jesus’ view on children?

The Parable of the Lost Sheep relates to Jesus’ view on children by illustrating the individual worth and divine care that God has for each person, including children.

Just as the shepherd goes to great lengths to find the one lost sheep, God shows relentless care and joy in ensuring that none of the “little ones” should perish.

Q. What message does Jesus’ interaction with children convey to adults?

Jesus’ interaction with children conveys the message that adults should value and respect children, recognizing their importance in the kingdom of heaven.

It also calls on adults to adopt childlike qualities in their faith and to take seriously the responsibility of nurturing and protecting the younger generation.

Q. How can the qualities of children enhance our faith?

The qualities of children, such as humility, trust, and innocence, can enhance our faith by helping us approach God with a pure heart and a sincere, uncomplicated belief.

These traits enable us to depend fully on God and remain open to His teachings and guidance, fostering a deeper and more genuine relationship with Him.