The Value of Children
Jesus highlighted His sincere value of children and emphasized the importance of childlike faith, rebuking those who hindered children from coming to Him, demonstrating His deep concern for their spiritual welfare and underscoring their innate capacity to receive and embody God's love and kingdom teachings.
In Matthew 18:1-6, Jesus teaches about the kingdom of heaven, "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, 'Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, 'Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.'"
Jesus uses the innocence and humility of a child as an example for His followers, stressing the necessity of childlike faith and humility to enter the kingdom of heaven. He warns sternly against causing harm to the faith of children, emphasizing the severity of such actions.
Similarly, in Mark 10:13-16, Jesus demonstrates His love and care for children, "And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, 'Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.' And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them."
Jesus passionately affirms the value of children and their place in God's kingdom. He teaches that childlike trust and openness are essential for receiving God's kingdom, rebuking His disciples for attempting to keep the children away. His actions reflect His deep love for the innocence and purity of children, emphasizing their significance in the spiritual realm.
The responsibility of parents to guide their children in faith is significant. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he grows older he will not abandon it." Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children's spiritual journey, and neglecting this duty can have profound consequences. While it's important to remember that everyone ultimately makes their own choices, parents are called to be faithful stewards of their children's spiritual upbringing. The weight of this responsibility is a reminder of the importance of nurturing faith within the family.
Jesus' teachings on the value of children encourage His followers to embrace humility, innocence, and trust in their relationship with God. They remind believers of the importance of nurturing and protecting the faith of children, ensuring they grow in the knowledge and love of God from a young age.
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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.”
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I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.