I love how Jesus instructed His disciples regarding children in Matthew 19:13-15.
New International Version: 13Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. 14Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
New American Standard: 13Then some children were brought to Him so that He would lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. 14But Jesus said, “Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them to come to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.
It’s clear that children are very important to Jesus. He used this situation as one of His many teaching opportunities. We still learn from that situation today:
1) Children are very welcomed by Jesus.
2) Anyone who hinders or forbids children access to Jesus are rebuked.
3) It is perfectly acceptable for parents and guardians to bring their children to Jesus for prayer and fellowship.
4) Adults may have good intentions (in this case I’m guessing they assumed Jesus would need assistance “maximizing” His ministry to adults only), but intentions, assumptions, and assistance, based on Matthew 19:13-15, will forever be “spelled out” for us regarding Jesus’s priorities.
I wrote Chapter 2, “Siblings,” Stories between the Lines, Inspired by New Testament Events, with Matthew 19:13-15 as inspiration. I hope as you read that chapter it will inspire you to think about what other encounters Jesus must have had with His beloved children.