Learning From Children

By Denise Trio

“Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.’”—Mark 9:36–37 (NLT)

Jesus is a teacher—reasonably the most renowned teacher who ever existed. In today’s Scripture, we see a simple but powerful lesson that Jesus teaches His disciples.

In previous verses, the disciples argue about who will be the greatest. You might expect that Jesus would quell their argument by proclaiming His deity as the Son of God. You could anticipate Jesus summoning an army of angels to prove the point that He is the greatest, but He didn’t. Instead, He brings a little child into the conversation. 

He takes the child in his arms. It makes me wonder. What was it like to be in Jesus’ arms? What was it like to be embraced by God? There are certain people you hug, and it brings about this sense of deep comfort and peace, this sense of belonging and security. I imagine the embrace of Jesus, who was fully man and fully God, infinitely magnifies that feeling.  

By bringing a child into the conversation with these Jewish men, Jesus places value on a young life. In that time, children weren’t allowed into circles where adults were. They were shooed and weren’t even regarded as a family but more like property. Instead of following the typical customs of the day, Jesus does the opposite and welcomes the children. And in doing so, He sets the standard for how others should show hospitality. 

I love how Jesus intentionally displays how He values every human life. We’ve seen Him care for the ones who have been sick, the women who were considered inferior, the outcasts who lived along the edges of society, and the young ones. 

In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40 NIV). This reminds us that Jesus values the ones that society and culture deem worthless, and we should, too. Remember, Jesus came not to be served but to be the servant of all. He made Himself low, and He took on flesh to bear our sin and shame to reunite us with the Father. Everyone deserves the gift of salvation! 

Whoever welcomes the servant welcomes Jesus and, even more powerfully, welcomes the Father. This is who God is. He is a father who cares for children, outcasts, the sick, widows, orphans, and the lonely. As a child of God, I want to be just like my Father!

Pause: What is your reaction to welcoming someone who typically doesn’t fit into your circle of friends? Do you welcome them like you would Jesus?

Practice: Today, show hospitality to someone you usually would not! Reach out to a neighbor. Send a text to an estranged friend. Make eye contact and smile at your cashier.

Pray: Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of salvation. Thank You for showing me what You are like through Your word. You care for every human being. Help me extend the same gift of hospitality and humility to those around me, just like You did, Jesus. Amen.