We live in a culture that despises children. In 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle vowed to not have more than two children in an effort to fight overpopulation and climate change. This promise was applauded by mainstream media and society, and they were even given an award with a $695 prize for their “enlightened decision.”[1]
Harry and Meghan are not the only couple who has pledged to limit their number of children or to even never have children at all. Those who do get unexpectedly pregnant are often told that the child inside their womb will only ruin their lives and are paid to get rid of it, even if it requires them to cross state lines to do so. Many women who do carry their children to term participate in what has been dubbed “toxic mommy culture,” where they regularly complain about, curse at, and try to get away from their kids (and for some reason, always need a glass of wine to get through the day). And the kids who somehow survived climate hysteria, abortion, and toxic mommy culture are often indoctrinated in radical gender and sexuality ideology in what they read in picture books, what they watch on TV, and what they’re taught in the classroom.
Like I said, our culture no longer appears to value children. To our society, children are only good for what they can do for them or their cause or their agenda. In all honesty, our view of children is not all that different from that of ancient Israel when Jesus walked on this earth.
We get a glimpse of this view in Luke 18—
“Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.” Luke 18:15, ESV
Jesus had been sharing parables and teachings to a crowd of people, and families began bringing their infants and children to Him. They knew He was healer. They recognized that He held far more authority than their Pharisees had. And they wanted their children to be healed of their illnesses and to be blessed by the Son of Man.
This was not okay with the disciples. Why? Because children were not highly valued in this society. They were essentially thought of as burdensome until they were able to help contribute to their families. The disciples believed that Jesus was already busy enough with all the adults he was teaching and ministering to that He didn’t have time for mere children. But they were greatly mistaken.
“But Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.’” Luke 18:16
The disciples tried to prevent parents from bringing their children to Jesus, even rebuked them for doing so. But Jesus stopped His disciples and welcomed the babies and children to Him. The adults in the crowd were no more important than their little ones. If anything, the adults had a lot to learn from these children. Jesus went on to explain—
“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Luke 18:17
Children are fairly innocent, unfazed by the darkness and wickedness of this world. They’re often quick to believe and trust the authorities in their lives, and they humbly obey the commands they’re given. Of course, not all children are like this. I’ve known many children to defy and disobey their parents and teachers. But many have never been given a reason to distrust those around them, so they are typically humble and obedient.
Jesus calls us here to be like children. To believe and trust in Him. To humbly obey and submit to Him. This is the only way we can enter God’s kingdom—by believing in Jesus and submitting our lives to Him. Young children often don’t take a lot of convincing to put their trust in Jesus. It’s the adults that need to be persuaded, convinced, and have all their questions answered before they can commit. We don’t need all the answers. We just need Jesus. And children can teach us how to live like this.
This story shows us how much Jesus loves children. He welcomes them into His arms and into His kingdom. Children are important to Him, which means children should be important to us, as well. Our children are the next generation of workers, leaders, parents, teachers, and Christians. We ought to do all we can to raise them up in the truth of God’s Word so that they can believe in Jesus from a young age and live a life that pleases Him (Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
Jesus loves us, too. As children of God who have been adopted in His family, Jesus welcomes us with open arms as our elder brother (John 1:12, Galatians 3:26, 1 John 3:1). We are heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17), and we can look forward to a world where there is no more abuse, no more hysteria, no more abortion, no more indoctrination, no more mistreatment. And all we have to do to enter this perfect, eternal kingdom is to have faith like a child.
[1] Evita Duffy, “Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Receive Environmental Award For Their Two-Children Limit,” last modified July 12, 2021, https://thefederalist.com/2021/07/12/prince-harry-meghan-markle-receive-environmental-award-for-their-two-children-limit/.
