Jesus welcomes children

Jesus and the Children

Everyone in the small town by the lake was excited. Everyone was talking about Jesus, the Messiah. They had heard about the marvelous stories that He told, He taught about God's Love, and preformed wonderful miracles. Jesus was going to Jerusalem and He was stopping here in their little town. Everyone wanted to see the miracles with their own eyes. They wanted to hear His stories first hand. Everyone wanted just to be in His presence.When the mothers heard that Jesus was in their town they stopped their cooking. When the fathers heard, they stopped working in their fields or put down their fishing nets. A large group of parents decided to bring their children with them. They wanted Jesus to bless their children.
When they finally reached the place where Jesus was a dreadful thing happened. They could not get near Jesus! Everyone from town was there. Finally the parents and children managed to get close to Jesus, but Jesus' disciples stopped them. "What are you doing here with all of those children?" asked a disciple. "We came in hopes that Jesus will bless our children," replied a father. "You must go away now," insisted the disciple. "Jesus does not have time for children. He is very busy talking with important people." The parents sadly turned away, and started to leave.
But suddenly a gentle voice could be heard saying "DO NOT TURN THE CHILDREN AWAY." It was the voice of Jesus. He had heard what the disciple had told the parents. Jesus heard everything even when a big crowd of people were around Him. "Bring the children to Me," Jesus continued. The crowd moved back to let the children through to Jesus. The parents followed behind. Jesus held out His arms and hugged each one of the little children. He gently touched each one, from the youngest to the oldest child. The children made Jesus smile and laugh. "I wish everyone were like little children, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these," Jesus said, and then He placed His hands on each child and blessed them.
(This story was inspired from the Bible Story in Matthew 19:13;
Mark 10:13-16; and Luke 18:15-17)