“Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ And He laid His hands on them and departed from there,” (Matthew 19:13-15, NKJV). From “The Desire of Ages,” p. 429 “The children of our hearths are as much the purchase of His blood as were the children of long ago. “Jesus knows the burden of every mother’s heart. He who had a mother that struggled with poverty and privation sympathizes with every mother in her labors. He who made a long journey in order to relieve the anxious heart of a Canaanite woman will do as much for the mothers of today. He who gave back to the widow of Nain her only son, and who in His agony upon the cross remembered His own mother, is touched today by the mother’s sorrow. In every grief and every need He will give comfort and help. “Let mothers come to Jesus with their perplexities. They will find grace sufficient to aid them in the management of their children. The gates are open for every mother who would lay her burdens at the Saviour’s feet. He who said, ‘Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not,’ still invites the mothers to lead up their little ones to be blessed by Him. Even the babe in its mother’s arms may dwell as under the shadow of the Almighty through the faith of the praying mother. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth. If we will live in communion with God, we too may expect the divine Spirit to mold our little ones, even from their earliest moments…In His teaching He came down to their level. He, the Majesty of heaven, did not disdain to answer their questions, and simplify His important lessons to meet their childish understanding. He planted in their minds the seeds of truth, which in after years would spring up, and bear fruit unto eternal life.” …......…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ELLEN G. WHITE (1827-1915), one of the most published authors in the world, named one of the “100 Most Significant Americans of All Time” by the Smithsonian Institution in 2014, was a co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. *You can read The Desire of Ages in its entirety online at www.whiteestate.org/onlinebooks.
This article is part of our 2025 September/October Issue …......…………………………………………..
I have spent the vast majority of my ministry working in schools with young people. Here’s what I have learned. If we want to break cycles in our community, we have to invest in children and families. By investing significantly in children and their families of origin we nourish the tree at the root; ensuring that the fruit of later years will be plentiful and sweet. Read Matthew 19:13-15 The first thing we should reflect on is that the disciples (chosen by Jesus for the work of ministry) discouraged children from coming. Is your church accommodating to children? Do you see children as a burden or a bother? Are they a cherished, treasured, gift from God? Read Luke 13:13-15 The disciples’ mistake was not the first time that religious leaders denied the people from receiving a divine blessing. What kind of worldview must one have to deny a person in need a blessing, especially small children? What can we do to reverse this kind of thinking? Compare with Matthew 19:14 with Luke 18:17 Notice what Jesus said about those who receive/are welcome into the kingdom of heaven. What is it that children bring that makes them prime candidates for citizenship in the kingdom of heaven? How can we embody these characteristics? Continue Luke 18:18-25 Pay close attention to verse 25. Could it be that we become so focused on amassing material wealth that we lose those characteristics that make us innocent, hopeful, and impressionable as children? Make a list of the ways that this disrupts our families and communities. For example, the primary reason we don’t take fun vacations is overwork. Reread Matthew 19:13 Reflect on the fact that the people were actively and intentionally bringing their children to Jesus. There is a shift happening in our world. People are becoming more family-oriented and more spiritual. List three things you can do to place your children before Jesus regularly. Study James 1:27 Here is straight talk from the very brother of Jesus. Known throughout antiquity as James the Just. His epistle reflects it too. He specifies that true religion takes care of children and families that are destitute. What’s one thing we can do to invest more into children and families; especially those who are at risk? Read Psalm 127:3, Mark 9:36-37, Matthew 18:10, Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 22:6, Isaiah 49:25 Children are our posterity. They are the ones who will carry our values into future generations. Let’s commit to being the kind of caregivers they are proud of rather than ones who are the reasons why they are broken. ……………………………………………………………………….. CHRISTOPHER C. THOMPSON, D.MIN is an adjunct professor in the School of Religion and Theology at Oakwood University. He serves as the Executive Director of Thumbs Up, Inc., and pastor of Lighthouse Church in Beaufort, South Carolina.
This article is part of our 2025 September/October Issue
A REFLECTION: When Others Neglect Them, Jesus Feels the Sorrow of Mothers
By Ellen G. White
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