Matthew 19:13–15 is a passage where Jesus blesses the children.
Children don’t just belong in God’s Kingdom—they show us how to enter it.
In this short yet powerful passage, Jesus reveals His tender heart and what He values most in the Kingdom: humble, dependent, childlike faith, exemplified when Jesus blesses the little ones.
Matthew 19:13–15 (NASB 2020)
13 Then some children were brought to Him so that He would lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them to come to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.
Who Was Jesus Speaking To?
- Children, brought by adults who recognized Jesus’ authority to bless
- Disciples, who mistakenly thought the children were a distraction
- Us today, who need a reminder of the posture God honors, especially as Jesus blesses the smallest among us.
What Happened?
- Adults brought children to Jesus for a blessing, emphasizing how Jesus blesses those who come to Him.
- The disciples rebuked them, likely thinking they were protecting Jesus’ time
- Jesus corrected the disciples and welcomed the children
- He laid hands on them and blessed them
The Mood: Tender, Corrective, Honoring
- The disciples were likely irritated or dismissive
- Jesus responded with gentle correction and dignity for the children, illustrating how Jesus blesses them.
- The atmosphere shifted to grace and invitation
The Principle: The Kingdom Belongs to the Childlike
- God welcomes those the world overlooks
- Childlike faith is the doorway to the Kingdom, a path Jesus blesses through His teachings and actions.
- We must approach God with humility, trust, and dependency
Audience Response (Then)
- The children received blessings and affection from Jesus, showing how Jesus blesses them with love.
- The adults saw their value affirmed by the Messiah
- The disciples were lovingly corrected and invited to adopt a different mindset
What This Means for Us in 2025
In our achievement-focused, performance-driven world, this moment reminds us:
- We are invited to come as we are
- God values innocence, humility, and dependence
- Our posture, not our power, grants access to Kingdom realities, much like the children whom Jesus blesses.
Action Steps for Today
- Approach God like a child: trusting, unguarded, and expectant
- Welcome the overlooked: value people the way Jesus does
- Honor the next generation: invest in children’s spiritual formation
- Reject prideful gatekeeping: make room for others in your spiritual walk
- Let yourself be blessed: receive from Jesus without self-reliance
Final Prayer
Jesus, thank You for welcoming us just as we are. Help me cultivate a childlike heart filled with trust and wonder. Let me see others through Your eyes, especially those who are often ignored. Make my life an open door for Kingdom blessing. In Your name, Amen.
Childlike faith isn’t immature—it’s the highest maturity in the Kingdom of God.
