Give Your Children The World Of Jesus

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

I tell you the truth,

anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child

will never enter it.”

Luke 18:15–17

One of the first things I learned about parenting was that I wanted the world for my kids, and I knew I couldn’t give it to them. I wonder if that is what the parents bringing their children to Jesus expected. Jesus has so much more for us than what we expect from him.

What Jesus said that day to the adults shows us his two goals for parenting.

  • Let the little children come to me.

  • Unless you become like a child, you will not enter the kingdom of God.

Jesus takes all my grown-up ideas and goals for my family and filters then through one sentence: Come to me.

“Let the little children come to me…you come to me like a child.”

Jesus is God.

He came to our dark world as man to give up his life to save ours simply because he loves us. His love cannot be earned. 

All the goals of comfort and success that I have for myself and my family are nothing compared to the goal that Jesus has for me:

  • That I am with him in his Kingdom. That my children are with him in his Kingdom. Now and forever.

Careers and health are temporary, but our relationship with Jesus is forever. Knowing Jesus loves us no matter how naughty or nice we have been gives us a security that money or performance or others approval cannot give.

Jesus blesses families through what he tells is in his Word, through Baptism, through the Lord’s Supper.

“Let the little children come to me.” 

A Daily Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I am sorry for missing so many opportunities to let my children come to me. Give me your peace. Increase my trust in your love for me. Give me wisdom to teach my children what I learn from your Word in personal devotions and Bible studies. Give me your passion to deliberately tell them how much you love them every day. Grow them in faith in you alone for their lives now and forever in your Kingdom. Amen.

Chris Gebert