Let The Little Children Come To Me
LENT DEVOTIONAL 2026 | DAY 31
Luke 18:1–17 (NIV)
By Sarah Khoo, Pastoral Team Member, Children’s Ministry
READ:
Luke 18:1–17 (NIV)
“Let the little children come to me…” (Luke 18:16)
This is the main verse for today’s reflection. In verses 15–17, Jesus points to little children as an example of how I can encounter God in my daily living. Two key points stand out from today’s passage:
First: Childlike faith leads us to encounter God.
Verses 15 and 16 showed that children were already coming to Jesus, and He welcomed them even when the disciples tried to keep them away. Children have a simple, trusting faith that allows them to experience Jesus personally. As an adult, I find that I need to embrace a childlike faith—being in a posture that opens me to Jesus’ love and care, allowing Him to touch the areas of my life that need shaping to become more like Christ.
Encountering Jesus is about accepting His invitation. Just as children come freely to Jesus, I too am invited to let Him love and care for me. To deepen my relationship with Christ, I don’t need complicated rituals or qualifications. I simply need to come just as I am, with an open heart, ready to receive His grace.
Second: Do not hinder the children.
People were bringing children to Jesus (v15), but the disciples tried to stop them. Jesus rebuked the disciples.
Lacy Finn Borgo suggests that the phrase “Let the little children come…”asks less of the adult and more of the child.* Too often, children’s ministry in the church is viewed as babysitting, entertainment, or sadly, as a way to raise them to be “good Christians” through shame and fear. But Jesus’ instruction to His disciples is clear: Do not hinder the little children from coming to Him. Why? Because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Jesus’ rebuke reminds us that children are the generation that will run the future race. When we hinder children, we risk missing the very lesson that God’s Kingdom belongs to those with childlike faith. Our response is to learn from our children’s faith and, in return, empower them to encounter God and release them to grow to become disciples of Christ.
How then should we respond to Jesus welcoming the children into the Kingdom of God?
Learn from the tax collector (vv9–14) that true righteousness is to come humbly, like a child, in responding to Jesus’ invitation for His care and love.
Take a hint from the persistent widow (vv1–8): pray persistently with childlike faith, asking God to enable us to embrace each child and help him or her to encounter the love of Christ.
(*reference: Spiritual Conversations with Children by Lacy Finn Borgo, pg 11)
[ Reflection Questions ]
- In Luke 18:17, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. What do you think Jesus means by this verse? How does it challenge your understanding of faith?
- During this season of Lent, what is Jesus showing you about embracing a childlike faith? How might this shape your prayers and actions?
- How can we, as a church community, welcome children and empower them to grow as disciples of Christ?
