Jesus Blesses Children (Matthew 18:1-6; 19:13-15)
Sermon Summary
27 September 2026
Pastor David Yan
Parents brought children to Jesus without any fear. Parents are protective of their children but here the parents saw no harm from Jesus. Jesus is gentle and non threatening to children.
They brought children to Jesus with expectancy. They saw that Jesus could offer something above all they could do. They saw deity in Jesus. Jesus would bring God into the lives of their children.
The disciples tried to stop the children from coming to Jesus. This displeased Jesus. It is a sin to prevent children from coming to Jesus. The disciples had preconceived ideas as to what Jesus should do. Jesus was for adults only, or so they thought. But no one dictates to Jesus. He came to do the Father’s will and that will included blessings for children.
Parents in bringing children to Jesus is a picture of the Holy Spirit bringing people to Jesus. People who prevent children from coming to Jesus grieve the Holy Spirit. Jesus said it would be better for such people to tie a millstone around their necks and be drowned.
Jesus touches the children and blesses them. How precious is the touch of Jesus. Those children were blessed of God who watches over them all their lives. How blessed are the hands of the Lord. The hands that blessed the children are the hands that bolster the church. Children and church are watched over by the Lord.
Jesus wants people to be childlike. You must be childlike if you want to be in the kingdom of God. What is childlikeness? It is to be like children.
Children are dependent. They rely on others for food, clothing, education, protection. People enter heaven depending on God.
Children are teachable. Their minds are pure. We do not say children are perfect but they are receptive and teachable.
Children are responsive. They respond enthusiastically to their teachers. People enter the kingdom of God by responding to the gospel call for repentance and faith.
The lesson for us is to be childlike. Jesus loves childlike people. Therefore be childlike. Receive the blessings of Jesus.