What Does Jesus Loves Children Really Mean?
“Jesus Loves the Little Children” is a popular Christian song that was penned by C. Herbert Woolston. It's also one of the most heartfelt moments of The Chosen in Season 1.
But where does the idea come from?
Let’s look at three different biblical stories of Jesus to understand why Jesus loved children so much.
Jesus Loves Children and Takes Time For Them
It’s easy to forget that the needs, wants, hopes, dreams, and feelings of children are just as big and just as powerful as those held by adults. And it’s equally as easy to think that children should be quiet and pushed to the side, while adults go through and experience life.
But Jesus taught a better way in the tenth chapter of Mark.
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.
14 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.
15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
(Mark 10 as found in the NIV)
Jesus did not tell the kids to go play somewhere else.
He did not tell them to be quiet while the adults spoke.
In fact, he only corrected the adults.
He told them to stop barring the children from Him. Not only that, but He specifically took time to invite the children into His circle and taught that we must become humble, obedient, and willing to love like them.
Jesus knew that adults lose a lot of their best childlike characteristics, and He wanted to remind them to rediscover those traits as adults.
Jesus Loves Children and Heals Them
Jesus took time out of his ministry to heal children in the ninth chapter of Matthew.
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes,
24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him.
25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.
26 News of this spread through all that region.
(Matthew 9 as found in the NIV)
While the adults in the synagogue sneered at the idea that Jesus could heal people, the child’s faith in Jesus made her whole. She was humble enough to believe and be healed.
Jesus Loves Children, Holds Them Up as Examples to Others, and Protects Them
When the apostles were having a discussion about who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. They asked Jesus for the answer and this is what happened.
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.
3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!
(Matthew 18 as found in the NIV)
When we think of greatness, we often think of people who are traditionally successful. We think of the rich and famous. We think of war heroes. We think of inventors, poets, leaders of movements, and titans of industry.
But how often do we think of children?
How often do we think of humble people who try their best to be their best day after day?
Because it’s this childlike-humility and kindness that makes people great in the eyes of Jesus.
Watch Jesus interact with the children in Season 1 Episode 3 today!
If you haven’t already, check out Angel Studios’ The Chosen to view the first-ever multi-season show about the life of Jesus. This historical drama set in Judaea and Galilee in the first century CE follows Jesus and those who he met and ministered to.
Download the Angel app on Google Play or the App store and start watching today.
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