From the Lips of Children
Introduction
On Palm Sunday, when Jesus arrived at Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. He sent two disciples ahead to a village to borrow and bring to Him a donkey and her colt. This took place to fulfill Zechariah’s prophecy, “Say to Daughter Zion, See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The disciples did as Jesus instructed and when they returned he sat on the donkey and rode into the Holy City. A large crowd spread their cloaks and branches on the road while shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”.
This post includes (1) the rest of the biblical account from that day, (2) a conversation my wife had with our almost 5 year old grandson that reflects the words Jesus spoke about children, and (3) additional Bible verses that indicate the special place children have in His Kingdom.
Matthew 21:12-17 . . . Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”
The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”
And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
Even A Child Recognizes God’s Omnipotence
Three months before his 5th birthday our grandson, was visiting. He loves to draw squares, rectangles, circles, and other shapes.
After he painted the picture below my wife asked him, “What did you draw?” He replied, “That’s God and he holds everything in his hands”. She then asked how he knew this. He said, “It just came into my head.”
Later I shared this story and image with our men’s group. One of the guys called me after the meeting and said, “Did you notice he drew three circles in the big rectangle that represents God?” I told him I didn’t. My friend said that these circles must represent the Trinity (the three in one - Father, Son, and Spirit). I said I wouldn’t be surprised, as this echos the words of Isaiah, “All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.”
What Jesus Said About Children
Matthew 19:14 . . . Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
This verse emphasizes how important children are in God’s eyes. Jesus encourages us to let them come to Him, showcasing their value in the kingdom of heaven. We are reminded that children possess a unique purity and dependence on God, which we should learn from.
Mark 9:36-37, 42 . . . He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me… And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.
In these verses, Jesus teaches that welcoming a child is akin to welcoming Him and His Father who sent Him. This shines a light on our responsibility to embrace and show kindness to children, recognizing their worth as part of God’s creation. In the last verse Jesus warns that there will be severe punishment for anyone who causes one of these little ones who believe in Him to sin.
Matthew 18:3 . . . “And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
This verse challenges us to embrace a childlike spirit in our faith. It reminds us that humility and trust are essential to entering God’s Kingdom. We are called to let go of our pride and embrace our need for God’s grace.
Matthew 18:10 . . . “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
This verse reminds us to never look down on children. Jesus emphasizes their value in the Kingdom of Heaven and assures us that God watches over them through His angels, encouraging us to protect their innocence.
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the many ways Jesus spoke about children, we gain a clearer understanding of their significance in God’s Kingdom. Jesus welcomed children, taught them, and reminded us of their purity and innocence. We have the privilege and responsibility to protect, guide, and nurture the next generation. The Bible encourages us to teach children about faith, fostering their relationship with God from an early age. As parents, guardians, and mentors, we are reminded of our active role in their spiritual development.
Let us embrace this calling with open arms, showing love and patience in our journey together as we all grow in our faith. We have much to learn from the innocence of children, and together, we can cultivate an environment that nurtures their faith and draws them closer to Jesus.