Vicki Bolaños
Three of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) relate the story of Jesus blessing the little children. The Bible never says that Jesus held them on His lap, but pictures sometimes portray that.
As a child, someone asked me if I had lived during Bible times and if I would have
wanted to be there. I responded yes, I want to be the one sitting on His lap! Later in life, I thought more carefully about the scene. Maybe I wouldn’t be chosen to sit with Him. Perhaps I wouldn’t even get close enough for a pat on the head or to see Him well. How disappointing and upsetting that would be! Giving it more thought and visualizing the scenarios, I feel that every child seeking Jesus’ attention received it that day. Whether you sat on His lap, stood close or far, Jesus looked into your eyes and smiled. It felt like you were the only one there as His eyes shone with love, acceptance, and forgiveness.
Jesus taught about accepting, not excluding, children. He used them as examples to show the way to the Kingdom of Heaven. Children are innocent, not perfect, but they usually have pure motives. They have a trusting faith in people unless that trust is tarnished. Although selfishness shows its ugly head, they can easily forgive. The young are aware of their limitations, thus showing humility. Joyfulness and excitement define children! To enter into the Kingdom, we are to become as they are.
I have never physically seen Jesus, but yet I know Him, and He knows me. Like the children of long ago, even if He didn’t touch one, He still blessed them by just looking into their hearts with His penetrating, loving eyes. A feeling of warmth, love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy would envelop their whole being. He can do that for each of us and for me.
But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
– Luke 18: 16-17
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