Jesus and the Children
Jesus loves children — including me.
Stories of Jesus · Mark 10:13–16
Jesus loves children — including me.
Do you ever feel like grown-ups are too busy to pay attention to you? Today we hear a story where Jesus stops everything. Just for the children. And what He says is very, very important.
Everywhere Jesus goes, people crowd around Him. They want to hear Him teach. They want Him to heal people who are sick. They have so many questions.
Some parents want their children to see Jesus. They pick up their little ones and start pushing through the crowd.
But the disciples hold out their hands. 'Stop! Jesus is busy. He doesn't have time for children right now.'
The parents stop. The children look up with their big eyes.
But then Jesus sees what is happening.
He is upset.
'Let the children come to me!' He says firmly. 'Don't stop them! The kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these!'
Jesus opens His arms.
The children run to Him. He picks them up, one by one. He puts His hands on their heads and blesses them. He smiles at them. He talks to them.
Can you open your arms wide? That's what Jesus did. He opened His arms for them.
Jesus was never too busy for children. He is never too busy for you.
Prayer
Let's pray. Repeat after me:
Dear God,
Thank you that Jesus loves children.
Thank you that He loves
me right now.
We love you!
Amen.
Listen to this devotional with audio narration and illustrations in the Seedling: Bible Stories app — short devotionals for Christian families with children ages 2–5.