[13] Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, [14] but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” [15] And he laid his hands on them and went away. Matthew 19:13–15

“Wait until I get my hands on you!”

Depending on the tone with which you read that startling statement, it can either be an invitation for a warm hug from a doting mother or it can be a stern warning that you’d better stay out of arms reach.

Jesus couldn’t wait to get his hands on the children that were brought to him. He was eager to bless them and hold them tight. Getting his hands on the kids around him was not a bad thing. It was a good thing. A time of blessing and seeking success in life for them. I do not doubt that Jesus found the lack of judgment and criticism in the children a great respite from the constant questions and tests and pleas. He had humbled himself by leaving the glories of heaven to become a man. What did he have to lose in other’s eyes by getting on the floor of the roof to wrestle with one of his nephews? Nothing was too low for him; no little ones were overlooked when he came over for dinner.

When you enter the east doors of the narthex to come into the building on Sunday, you can hardly miss the largest sign in the building staring you right in the face, “Covenant Kids.” There’s a reason for that. The spiritual formation of our children from the earliest ages is critical—it is at these ages that they move from owning the faith you have passed on to them to owning their faith as their own. I’m not sure who said it, and I won’t get the quote exactly right, but someone (might have even been me) once said, “Win a soul over 60 and you’ve won a seasoned sinner to Christ. Win a child under six to Christ and you set them free to serve the Lord for a lifetime.” The angels rejoice over both conversions, but the consistent discipleship of our children and youth produce kingdom workers who can participate in the sowing of seeds and reaping of the harvest for many, many years.

We are blessed to have a large number of children in our body and a large number of visiting children to our VBS and Trunk or Treat events. They are a source of joy, and they are signs of God’s grace to us. Loving our “littles” is a great sign of a healthy body.

[27] Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27