Today is Easter Sunday! Easter is a celebration of life, resurrection, and hope, and there is no better way to reflect on its meaning than by remembering Jesus Christ’s tender love for children – that their innocence and purity are precious before God. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus declared, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
This Easter, as we rejoice in the risen Savior, we are reminded that His victory over death extends even to the youngest among us—those who cannot yet fully grasp the Gospel but are nevertheless held safe in His mercy and grace.
The image of Jesus blessing children, surrounded by little ones, is not just a picture of compassion but also a theological foundation for understanding God’s grace toward those who are too young to fully comprehend faith and salvation.
The Innocence of Childhood
Children below a certain age—generally considered before the age of accountability (often thought of as around 12 for girls and 13 for boys)—are uniquely innocent. They have not yet reached the stage where they can formulate their own beliefs, moral choices, or willful rebellion against God. While all are born into sin through Adam’s fall (Romans 5:12), God in His mercy extends grace to those who are not yet able to grasp the concepts of repentance and faith.
This is why Jesus often emphasized that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Their inability to reason like adults does not disqualify them; in fact, it places them in the shelter of God’s love until they reach maturity.
The Age of Accountability
The “age of accountability” is a theological concept rooted in the idea that God does not hold children accountable for sins they cannot consciously choose. Jewish tradition historically marked 12 for girls and 13 for boys as the age of maturity (the Bat Mitzvah and Bar Mitzvah), which aligns with the notion that children transition into personal responsibility around that time.
Until that age, children are seen as under the special covering of God’s mercy. They cannot yet knowingly accept or reject Jesus as Lord and Savior because their moral and spiritual faculties are still developing. Thus, should tragedy strike, or in the case of the Rapture, they are embraced by God’s grace.
Jesus’ Blessing of Children
The Gospels give us touching insights into Jesus’ heart for children:
In Mark 10:13–16, when the disciples tried to push the children away, Jesus was indignant. He not only welcomed them but also took them in His arms, laid hands on them, and blessed them.
In Matthew 18:3–5, Jesus warned His followers that unless they “become like little children,” they would not enter the kingdom of heaven. He was not referring to immaturity but to the qualities of trust, humility, and dependence.
These accounts confirm that Jesus placed eternal value on children. Their simplicity, vulnerability, and openness to love made them vivid examples of the faith God desires from His people.
Children and the Rapture
The doctrine of the Rapture teaches that when Christ returns, believers will be caught up with Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). A lingering question for many Christian parents is: What about our little ones?
Based on the biblical witness and the nature of God’s mercy, many theologians believe that children under the age of accountability will also be taken in the Rapture. Since they have not yet had the chance to personally respond to the Gospel, they are not judged for rejecting Christ. Instead, they are sheltered in His grace.
This aligns with the consistent theme in Scripture: God defends the fatherless, protects the weak, and loves children with a fierce, unrelenting love. His justice is always balanced with mercy.
Heaven and the Little Ones
The assurance that babies and young children go to heaven is not only comforting but also rooted in Scripture. When David lost his infant son, he declared in 2 Samuel 12:23, “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” This reveals David’s confidence that the child was safe in God’s presence.
Similarly, Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18:10 affirms that children have angels who behold the face of the Father in heaven, further underscoring their special status before God.
For parents and believers alike, this truth offers profound comfort: every child lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, early death, or any tragic circumstance is received into the arms of Christ.
A Call to Childlike Faith
While children are sheltered by God’s grace until they reach maturity, adults are called to consciously embrace the same qualities of humility and trust that define childhood. The message of Jesus blessing the children is not only about His love for the little ones but also a reminder for grown men and women to approach God with a simple, trusting heart.
Faith, at its core, is about dependence—acknowledging that we cannot save ourselves and must rest fully on the work of Christ. Just as children rely on their parents for every need, believers are called to lean wholly on the Lord.
Conclusion
The picture of Jesus surrounded by little ones is more than a sentimental image—it is a powerful testimony of God’s heart. Children, in their innocence, are treasures in the kingdom of heaven. Until they are old enough to make their own decisions about faith, God covers them with His mercy.
When the trumpet sounds and the Rapture occurs, every baby, every toddler, and every young child who has not yet reached the age of accountability will be caught up with the saints to meet the Lord in the air. This truth not only reflects the compassion of Christ but also provides immense comfort and hope to families.
The blessing of Jesus upon children reveals that in His kingdom, the smallest are not forgotten. They are cherished, embraced, and eternally safe in His arms.
