Suffer Little Children

Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus was always glad to receive little children and bless them. The disciples tried to prevent people from bringing the little ones and infants to Jesus. Did they think the little ones had not earned the right to be in His presence? Or, that the little ones had no benefit to offer Jesus? Or, perhaps because the infants did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah?

We are not told why the disciples tried to prevent the little ones from coming to Jesus but we do know that Jesus rebuked them for doing so. Jesus gladly receives His little ones. The Kingdom of Heaven is made up of such children. The point is clear. We who are God’s children must act like humble children, little ones and even infants.

If God is our Father, and Jesus our elder brother, then we must come to Him submissively, seeking to do His will to please Him. Like Jesus, we seek to please our Father and the Father gladly receives such into His presence. Furthermore, when we come to the Father in the name of Jesus, the Father calls us His beloved children, in whom He is well pleased.