Can You Welcome Jesus?

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 

Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. "And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. Matthew 18:2-5

 

But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. Then he said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest." Luke 9:47-48

 

Meditate. Consider childlike innocence and trust.

 

Little children don’t stop to think about sins or who is greatest in a group of people. Well—most think their Dad and Mom are the greatest…and Jesus, if they know Him. It’s all about love for them. Their parents love them, and they love their parents. If they’ve been taught about Jesus, they probably know the song, “Jesus Loves Me” and are happy to sing it anytime!

Why did Jesus use a child as an example of humility for His disciples? Kids are generally happy, accepting, loyal, welcoming, humble, and genuinely loving. He said that that quality of humility was important. Recall that the disciples had just been arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus was showing them that none of them were—but that everyone needs to be humble and not focused on themselves, but on others to be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Can you be humble as Jesus suggested?

What do we learn about Jesus from these Scripture passages? 

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, humility is a true gift of God. We have to choose to be humble. Please give me the grace to accept Your gift of humility for my life—and humble myself before You…and others, that I would be a true servant, like You.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ For the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Psalm 149:4

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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