Children and Salvation

Matthew 17-19 

“…‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles themselves like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven…See to it that you do not look down on one of these little ones’…Then little children were brought to Jesus…But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”

Matthew 18:3, 4, 10; 19:13, 14

Despite Jesus’ warning not to look down on children and undervalue both their worth and contributions in Christ’s kingdom, the disciples still rebuked those who brought children. The disciples still felt that blessing and praying for children was a waste of time. Jesus had to rebuke his disciples for their stubborn refusal to understand that these children were citizens in his kingdom too. How we treat children is an indication of whether we understand and have experienced salvation in Christ’s kingdom. Without humility, faith, and grace, we don’t experience salvation, and we don’t welcome children.

“Lord Jesus, thank you for children and their reminder that salvation comes to those with humble faith. I humble myself before you this day.”