Jesus and the Children
People bring children to Jesus. The disciples try to stop them, but Jesus welcomes the children and blesses them.
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'
And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
The disciples thought Jesus was too busy and too important for children. They were wrong. Jesus was 'indignant'—one of the strongest words used for His emotions in the Gospels.
Children in that culture had little status, yet Jesus held them up as examples. What is it about children that opens the kingdom? They come with empty hands, trusting simply, not trying to earn or deserve. They know they are dependent.
Jesus didn't just tolerate the children—He took them in His arms and blessed them. He still welcomes all who come to Him with childlike faith.