Children in the Bible: An Introduction
“And they brought young children to Him, that He should touch them: and His disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.” Mark 10:13–16
Jesus loved the children so much. Although the disciples didn’t want the parents to bring their children to Him because they felt the Master was tired and did not want to be bothered, Jesus showed a tender love toward them. They were so tender and innocent, but their faith was great and they would believe on anything. Jesus said in Luke 18:17 that “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”
Little children have a lot of faith in those who take care of them. They also show a lot of love to their guardians. Their young souls have no blemish because they haven’t led a complete life marred by sin. Their innocence is what Jesus used to compare the kingdom of God with. A man must have the faith and love of a little child to be able to enter into the glorious kingdom.
Sister White writes to us that Jesus was the greatest example of how human children and youth should act and be like. There will be perfect children very soon in heaven. But even the children born into sin can become perfect. They must ask Jesus to forgive them for all of their sins and to make them as perfect as He was so many years ago.
Throughout history there have been many important children mentioned in the Bible. Some of their stories are very long, while others are very short. Some of those children helped God’s plans in big ways, while others helped in smaller ones. Whatever these children did, they are all important to Jesus. And remember, every single child in this world is loved so very much by Jesus. I hope all of you are blessed with the different stories and lessons to be learned of children in the Bible.
Michael C. Newby
Jesus as a Child
When Jesus was young He was always happy and cheerful. As a child he was obedient to his parents and helped with chores at home.
There also was an old man named Simeon, God said that He would let Simeon see the Son of God before he would die. Mary placed baby Jesus in Simeon’s hands and Simeon blessed the baby boy.
When Jesus was 12 years old He and His family went to the Passover in Jerusalem. On the way back home Mary and Joseph were thinking that the boy was with them but He was not.
Mary and Joseph went to find Jesus. It took them 3 days and they found him sitting with the Rabbis and Elders.
It is my wish and prayer that we may be obedient to our parents and love God.
Sarah Newby
The Boy Who Slept In Church
I want to tell you about a boy named Eutychus. Have you heard of this name?
“And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.” Acts 20:9
This boy was listening to a sermon Paul was preaching in Troas. This was Paul’s last journey to Jerusalem, so he had much to say. Paul was preaching in a three-storied building; a young lad named Eutychus fell into a deep sleep in the window. He suddenly fell through that window; everyone forgot about Paul and rushed outside. There they found Eutychus on the ground, dead. Paul struggled through the crowd toward Eutychus.
What Paul did next was remarkable. Let us read Acts 20:10. “And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.”
How can this be? This young lad fell three stories and still had breath? Everyone was amazed. The Apostle Paul had restored him back to life. They then went back to the top of the building and Paul continued preaching from where he left off.
“When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.” Acts 20:11–12
This story teaches us a lesson, a very important one. Never sleep in church. This is my wish and prayer. Amen.
Stephen Newby
Conclusion
“Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.”Proverbs 23:13. Also we read in Proverbs 13: 24, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” The previous articles all spoke about children in the Bible. “But Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14. So we see that Jesus didn’t mind children. God even had plans for children before they were born. For example we read in Jeremiah: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said to me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.” Jeremiah 1:5–7
All of us have once been children and some of us here are still children. “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” Ecclesiastes 12:1. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17. I hope we have learned much about children, and that we may be like children also.
Matthew Romero