Jesus and MeWhy Did the Children Run to Jesus?
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About this story
Join Jesus and his little friend for the story of the day the children ran to Jesus. His friends tried to send them away, but Jesus opened his arms wide. A gentle Bible story for young children about how welcome every child is.
In one line: Children are never too little for Jesus.
Ask your child
When do you feel too little for something? What does it mean that Jesus always has room for you?
A short prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for opening your arms to me. I am never too little for you. Amen.
Read the story
Who did Jesus want to hug the most? Come and see! Sit down with Jesus and his little friend on this sunny hill. The little girl had a story to tell. It was a true story from the Bible. It was a story about a big hug!
Long ago, in a land of hills and olive trees, Jesus walked from town to town. Lots and lots of people followed him. Jesus helped people who were sick. He taught people about God. Jesus was kind to everyone. Everybody wanted to be close to Jesus.
In a little house, a mother tied her sandals. She had an idea. A wonderful idea! “Let’s take the children to Jesus!” she said. “He can put his hands on them and bless them.” So off they went! The mother, the little boy, and the baby too. Skip, skip, skip down the dusty road. Other families came too. Mums and dads. Grandmas and grandpas.
Big children and tiny children, all walking together. The sun was warm. The road was long. Little legs got tired. But nobody wanted to turn back! At last they saw a crowd near the river. There was Jesus! The children bounced on their toes.
But Jesus’s friends, the disciples, stepped in the way. They held up their hands. “Not now,” they said. Perhaps the disciples thought Jesus was too busy. Too busy for little ones? The children’s smiles went a tiny bit wobbly. The little boy looked down at his feet. Was he too small? Was there no room for him?
But Jesus saw what was happening. And Jesus was not pleased with his disciples. Not pleased at all! Jesus turned to his friends. He spoke clearly and firmly. Everyone stopped to listen, even the birds. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Do not stop them.”
Let them come! Let them come! Jesus said that God’s kingdom belongs to children just like these. Little ones are precious to God! Then Jesus knelt down low in the grass. He smiled a great big smile. And he opened his arms wide.
The children ran! Run, run, run, across the soft green grass, all the way to Jesus! The little boy ran fastest of all. His feet went pitter patter, pitter patter. “Here I come!” And Jesus caught them all in a great big hug. There was room for everyone in his arms. Jesus was not too busy. He was never too busy for children.
He had time for every single one. The Bible says Jesus took the children up in his arms. He put his hands on them, and he blessed them. Blessing means Jesus asked God to give them good things. Love and joy and kindness, all wrapped up in a prayer.
Even the baby got a cuddle. The baby giggled and grabbed Jesus’s finger. The mother wiped a happy tear. The disciples watched and smiled too. Now they knew. Children are never too small for Jesus. Never ever! That evening, the families walked home in the golden sunset.
The little boy skipped all the way. He felt so loved. Back on the sunny hill, the little girl looked up at Jesus. Would he hug her too? Yes, he would! Jesus opens his arms to you too. You are never too little. You are never in the way. You are always welcome!
Say it with me: God loves me so much! Can you give someone a big smile today? Bye bye, friends!
But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.” He took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.Mark 10:14, 16 (World English Bible)
