There are many references in the bible where Jesus demonstrated his love for children. To Jesus, children play a very important role in the scheme of our relationship with God. By biblical references, we are made to know the nature of the relationship children have with the kingdom of heaven or how valuable children are to God.
Who is a child?
In most societies or nations, and by global definition through the lens of UN Conventions, a child is a minor below the age of 18 years. However in some societies it is capped at below 21 years of age. Within the spectrum from age zero to either 18 or 21 years there are broad categories, namely babies, infants, toddlers, teenagers, and mature children. Adults are not children though everyone is a child of someone irrespective of age.
In many religious beliefs or faiths, new converts are deemed as spiritual children or babes. In Matthew 18:6; 1 John 2: 1 Jesus’ reference to children consisted of babies, infants and toddlers or those below their teens gleaning from his statements. The King James Version makes it explicit in Matthew 18: 3 the statement refers to little children. In Matthew 19: 13-15 reference is to little children; Mark 10: 13-16 say young children; and Luke 18: 15-17 say infants. Little children are channels by which God communicates with us or reaches us on issues which affect our daily lives.
Children are channels of blessing
In Matthew 19: 13-15; Mark 10: 13-16; and Luke 18: 15-17 when Jesus’ disciples rebuked children who had been brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray, Jesus then indignant said to the disciples, let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them and went away. God loves children because they do God’s will and naturally obey the commandment of God. Consequently, their blessings extend to the entire family. Just as God visits the iniquities of the fathers upon the children, so does He visit the blessings of the children upon the fathers and families. We must bring up our children in the fear of the Lord.
Children are God’s medium of caution
God speaks to us in many ways and always through children by their character. In Mark 10: 15; Luke18: 17 Jesus said truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. This is a caution for love and parental responsibility. In Matthew 18:6; Mark 9:2 Jesus said, woe unto anyone who causes one of the little ones who believe in God to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. God’s caution to us is that we must be responsible parents as a divine duty to God if we are to avert eternal punishment. It does not show care if we expose children to all sorts of spiritual dangers, cultures and immorality.
Children show the way of spiritual nourishment
The apostle Peter also used children to illustrate how we can grow in spirit in order to be worthy of the kingdom of God. Peter said in 1 Peter 2: 2, like newborn babies, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation; for you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. This implies that like little children we must gradually and gently feed on God’s word as spiritual food in order to grow spiritually. In addressing his converts as spiritual children, Paul said in 2 Corinthians 6: 13 I speak as to children, widen your hearts also. To widen the heart means to be ready to hear from God or to keep the faith. It is to be receptive to scripture in order to mature in God. New born babes are worthy examples because they do not resist feed from their parents. The Lord expects us to accept scripture as nourishment or feed for our souls from Him who is our Father in heaven through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Children are God’s channels of instructions
John the Evangelist of Ephesus said in 1 John 2: 1 my little children, I am writing to you so that you may not sin; but if any does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. Just as John instructed the people of Ephesus in the Lord, Proverbs 22: 6 says train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. God wants us to be trained in the word so that we will at all times be grounded in faith just as well brought up children are. Children depend on their parents for instructions in life so God wants us to depend on Him as a Father and our advocate Christ Jesus. God wants us to learn from these relationships so we may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of heaven.
Children are channels for divine service
Children are generally serviceable to their parents. They always lend a helping hand whenever they have an opportunity for help. This is a lesson which Jesus wants us to learn from children. Jesus said in Matthew 20: 28 even the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as ransom for many. Galatians 5:13 says but through love be servants of one another. We sometimes feel so proud to serve or acknowledge others. Children naturally want to serve, not to be served. Service to man is service to God. Jesus said in Matthew 25: 45, truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me. Children naturally acknowledge the services they receive from their parents. We must equally acknowledge Christ Jesus for his works on the cross for us. Jesus said in Matthew 10: 32-33 everyone who acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Children want to be washed clean
This refers to the general character of children. We must also desire to be spiritually washed in the blood of Jesus Christ in our spiritual lives in order to be acceptable for the kingdom of God. We cannot walk about in our spiritual dirt of sin and iniquities in the presence of Christ Jesus whilst his blood avails abundantly. 1 John 3: 3 says and every one who thus hopes in him (Christ) purifies himself as he (Christ) is pure. Hebrews 10:22 says let us draw near to God with a true heart of faith, hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. We must appear clean before God. Jesus said in Matthew 18: 3 truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. A child’s first call of reference, knowledge, praise or complaint is directed at the parent. We pray that the Lord God by His divine grace mercy helps us to learn from children.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, we are your children no matter how we feel. We have without knowledge failed to learn from the examples of children. Today, we in repentance and humility submit to your training so humble our hearts to accept your instructions. Wash our dirt of sins in your blood and reconcile us unto yourself. In your holy name we have prayed, Amen!!
