Psalm 127:3-5
“Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.“
Jesus took time to teach His followers why He considered little children important. He even explained that His followers needed to become more like little children. He will only give His Kingdom to people who are like little children in trusting and depending on God. Jesus said, “Whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me” (Matthew 18:4-5). Being like a little child means not getting a big head. It means not boasting or thinking we are most important. It means to remember how much greater God is than we are.
Jesus was very busy with many important things. His followers thought He was too busy to bless little children. But Jesus told them they were wrong. When some of His listeners brought little children to Jesus, His followers stopped them. They may have figured that the babies wouldn’t even remember seeing Jesus. How could small children be as important as all the other things Jesus had to do? So Jesus’ followers rebuked the adults. They told them they were wrong for trying to waste Jesus’ time. Jesus saw what His followers were doing, and He wasn’t happy about it. He said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). So Jesus “took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:16).
Jesus loved the children as much as He loved the adults who came to hear His teaching. He made time to hold and pray for the children. He asked for God’s blessing for them.
Children are blessings; treat them as such. Children remain blessings, throughout our lives. As parents, we should treat our children with the respect and with the responsibility required by our Heavenly Father. Children are the future leaders of the world and the church and most of all, they are of the Kingdom of God.
