Jesus Blesses Children

How Jesus Embodied Love Here

In this tender scene from Matthew's Gospel, we witness Jesus embodying agapē—self-giving love—in a way that must have shocked his contemporaries. When parents brought their children to receive his blessing, the disciples "rebuked them," acting as gatekeepers who deemed these little ones unworthy of the Master's precious time.

But Jesus responded with radical inclusivity: "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me." The word "suffer" here means "allow" or "permit"—Jesus was essentially saying, "Don't you dare turn them away." His love wasn't reserved for the wealthy, the influential, or even the ritually clean adults who could offer something in return. Instead, he welcomed those who could give nothing back.

In first-century Palestine, children held little social status. They were economic burdens until old enough to contribute labor, and religious instruction was primarily reserved for boys approaching adulthood. Yet Jesus declared, "of such is the kingdom of heaven"—not merely that children would inherit God's kingdom, but that childlike qualities embody kingdom values. His agapē love saw infinite worth in those society overlooked.

The physical act matters too: "he laid his hands on them." This wasn't a hurried pat on the head while moving on to more important business. Jesus took time to touch each child, to pray over them, to bless them individually. His love was both philosophical and intensely personal, both cosmic in scope and intimate in expression.

Following His Example

Practice radical availability. Just as Jesus made time for children when his disciples thought he was too busy, we can ask ourselves: Who are the "unimportant" people I rush past? The elderly neighbor who wants to chat, the anxious teenager at church, the special-needs child others find difficult? Agapē love means being genuinely present to those who can't advance our careers or enhance our reputation.

Challenge exclusionary gatekeeping. The disciples meant well—they wanted to protect Jesus from interruption. But their good intentions created barriers to love. Where do we see this pattern in our communities? Perhaps it's the unspoken dress codes that make working-class families feel unwelcome at church, or the academic jargon that excludes those without formal education from spiritual conversations. Following Jesus means actively dismantling these barriers.

Offer blessing without expecting return. Jesus blessed children who couldn't offer theological insights, financial support, or social connections. Our agapē love grows when we practice this same unconditional giving—mentoring someone younger, caring for aging parents, volunteering with populations that can't reciprocate our service. The blessing flows both ways, but it begins with giving freely.

Echoes in Other Traditions

This principle of extending love and respect to the vulnerable and seemingly unimportant resonates across wisdom traditions. Whether through Buddhist compassion for all sentient beings, Islamic emphasis on caring for orphans and the defenseless, or Confucian ideals of benevolence toward those of lower station, spiritual maturity consistently manifests in how we treat those who cannot benefit us. The measure of authentic love is found not in how we treat the powerful, but in how we welcome the powerless.