Some things Jesus did for children

1. He took them in his arms and blessed them.

2. He provided for their physical wants in feeding the four and five thousand—”besides women and children.” He commanded that something to eat be given the raised daughter of Jairus (Mark 5: 43).

3. He healed them. How many were boys? (See John 4:46-54 and Matt. 17: 14-21.) How many were girls? (See Mark 7: 24-30 and Matt. 9:18-34.) Are there still others? May he have healed some not recorded? (See Mark 1:32-34.)

4. He observed the manner of their play and life. He had noted their game of wedding and funeral (Luke 7: 32), their sleeping in bed with their father (Luke 11: 7), and the good gifts they had received from their parents (Matt. 7:11).

How Jesus felt about children

1. He felt indignant that his own disciples should stand between the children and himself, and so manifested his interest in their welfare.

2. He used the diminutive of affection combined with an endearing term in raising the daughter of Jairus, saying, Talitha cumi (Mark 5: 41), “Little girl, arise.” From all he did for them we conclude he loved them.

3. He must have regarded them with a kind of sacred awe, “for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 18:11).

4. He felt respect for them, for he taught us not to despise them (Matt. 18: 10).

5. He felt sympathy for them. To the women of Jerusalem bewailing his fate, he said, “Weep for yourselves and for your children” (Luke 23: 28).

Ideas that Jesus had about children

1. They are a type of true greatness and of membership in the Kingdom. “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:4). “Of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14).

2. They are not to be offended. “Whosoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it were better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea” (Mark 9:42). Could this refer to those young in the faith, as well as to children?

3. They are identified by him with himself. ”Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me” (Mark 9: 37).

4. They are specific objects of the Father’s loving purpose. “It is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish” (Matt. 18:14).

Children came to Jesus readily.  They were happy in his company.  They sang his praises.

Jesus said in prayer: “I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and prudent and didst reveal them unto babes” (Matt. 11:25).

Also he quoted the Psalms in defense of the children singing his praises: “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise” (Matt. 21: 16).

Slightly altered and abbreviated from Horne, Teaching Techniques of Jesus, 179-182.