NOVEMBER 5 – Reading 309

by Vanessa Abrisqueta | November 5

“JESUS SAYS: LET THEM COME”
(Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17)

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'” – Matthew 19:14 (ESV)

The disciples are doing what they think is helpful: they’re protecting Jesus from the chaos of children. “Don’t bother the Teacher,” they’re essentially saying. “We’re managing the crowd. We’ve got important people here.” And Jesus stops everything. He doesn’t gently redirect. He doesn’t compromise. He says—and His tone matters here—”Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” This isn’t a nice aside in His ministry. This is a declaration. The kingdom of God—the entire redemptive story we’ve been following—belongs to children. Not to the powerful, not to the influential, not to those with resources or status. To children. This echoes something the ancient wisdom writers knew: “Train up a child in the way they should go; even when old, they will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). The Proverbs understood that children aren’t afterthoughts in God’s plan—they’re the future bearers of God’s kingdom. And then Jesus says something equally radical: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” Adults, He’s telling us, need to become like children to enter the kingdom. Not childish—childlike. Open. Trusting. Humble. Dependent. Wondering. When Jesus called a child to stand in the middle of His disciples, He made it clear: whoever humbles themselves like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-6). The measure of greatness isn’t power or influence—it’s the capacity to become vulnerable and completely dependent on God, just as children are.

This reframes everything we’ve been saying for two days. Seeking the lost? Yes, because Jesus cares about every person, including the next generation of believers. Faithful stewardship? Yes, because what we invest in children matters eternally. But here’s the settled matter: the church’s prioritization of the next generation of passionate followers of Jesus isn’t optional or peripheral. It’s not a nice program or a helpful ministry track. It’s central. It’s fundamental. It’s the kingdom itself. When we welcome spiritual children (no matter their age), invest in them, mentor them, pray for them, make space for them—we’re not doing Jesus a favor. We’re participating in kingdom work. We’re declaring with our time, resources, and presence that we believe what Jesus believes about their value and destiny.

Simple Truth:
Jesus placed children at the very center of His kingdom and called the entire church community to receive Him through the posture of childlike faith—making family ministry not peripheral, but central to everything we do.

Reflections:

• What would change in your life if you truly believed that investing in the next generation is investing in the kingdom of God itself, not just a good program?

   

• Where do you need to become more childlike—more trusting, more open, more dependent on the Holy Spirit—as you engage in mentoring, parenting, or spiritual investment?

   

Application:

• If you’re a parent or grandparent: your role in shepherding the next generation is kingdom work. Don’t apologize for prioritizing it or asking others to join you in it. This month, invite one person—a friend, a church member, a mentor—to intentionally invest in one of your children.

   

• If you’re single or without kids in your home: Jesus didn’t say “let the children of parents come to me.” He said “let the children come.” That includes you as part of the church community that receives, welcomes, and values them. Where can you create space this month—in your home, your time, your presence—for a young person to experience belonging?

   

• For all of us: Become childlike. Practice wonder. Practice trust. Practice dependence on the Holy Spirit instead of your own strength. These postures will transform not just how you invest in the next generation, but how you follow Jesus.

   

Closing Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for stopping everything to make a declaration about children—about their value, their worth, their place in Your kingdom. Transform us. Make us childlike—trusting, open, dependent on You. Help us to see the young people around us the way You see them: as the very embodiment of the kingdom. Holy Spirit, would you empower us courage to reorder our lives, our churches, and our communities around this truth. We want to be people who say “Let them come”—and mean it. Amen.