LITTLE CHILDREN / MATTHEW 19:13

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 19:13

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

The Posture of Welcome: Lessons from the Little Children

In the busy, crowded moments of ministry, it is easy to focus entirely on what seems urgent, monumental, or high-stakes. We see this dynamic play out vividly in the Gospel accounts. In Matthew 19:13, the text notes that people began bringing little children to Jesus so that He might place His hands on them and pray. The response from the disciples, however, was immediate and protective: they rebuked the people and tried to turn them away.

To the disciples, Jesus was engaged in critical theological debates and life-altering teachings. In their eyes, the chaotic, noisy presence of children was a distraction from the “real work” of the kingdom. They prioritized the structure of their agenda over the simplicity of a blessing.

Yet, Jesus immediately overturned their assumptions. He paused the high-level discussions to establish a fundamental truth about God’s heart: the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

This encounter challenges the way we view our own daily schedules, priorities, and spiritual lives. It forces us to ask whether we are creating barriers or building bridges for those who are vulnerable, dependent, or simple in faith.

Moving Beyond the Hustle

We live in a culture that values production, status, and intellectual complexity. Like the disciples, we can easily fall into the trap of believing that God is only interested in our major achievements, our profound theological insights, or our frantic busyness. We treat our spiritual lives like a checklist of mature responsibilities.

But Jesus reminds us that the doors of the kingdom open wide for those who approach Him with childlike trust. Children do not come to Jesus with a list of accomplishments to prove their worth; they come simply to be held, blessed, and cared for. They understand instinctually what adults struggle to learn: that we are entirely dependent on the grace and goodness of the Father.

Bringing Them to Jesus

There is also a profound lesson here for parents, mentors, and communities. The people who brought the children were persistent. They pushed through a critical crowd because they knew that the best place for their children was in the presence of the Savior.

Our primary mission today remains the same. Whether through our prayers, our example, or our intentional time, our highest calling is to bring the next generation to Jesus, refusing to let the noise and distractions of the world hinder them.

Let us slow down enough to notice the lowlier things, to welcome the interruptions, and to adopt a posture of simple, unhurried faith.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the beautiful reminder of Your tender heart toward the vulnerable and the small. Forgive us for the times we have allowed the busyness of life, our own self-importance, or our rigid agendas to get in the way of what truly matters to You. Teach us to slow down and notice the people You place in our path.

We pray today for the children in our lives and communities. Protect their hearts, guard their innocence, and draw them close to Your side. Give us the wisdom and persistence to constantly bring them to You, trusting that they are always safe in Your hands.

Help us to lay down our pride, our self-reliance, and our need to complicate faith. Grant us the grace to receive Your kingdom with the humility, trust, and joy of a little child.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace