In preparing to speak at a children’s ministry conference a number of years ago, I remember laying on my hotel bed and browsing through my Bible. I was reading the classic “kids’ ministry” passage in Matthew 19. You’ve probably read it; parents were bringing their children to Jesus so He could lay His hands on them and pray. The disciples, however, rebuked them, which Jesus didn’t like at all.

I’d read this many times and had been a children’s pastor for around 11 years by then. Each time I read this, I saw the same basic point. Let kids come to Jesus. Sort of a no-brainer, huh? What amazed me then (and still does today) is that when the Holy Spirit speaks to you, He shows you what you’re really reading! I heard the Lord clearly ask me this question: “What are YOU doing each week to allow kids to come to Me, to experience Me?”

As soon as the Lord asked me this simple question, the part of the story that had been hidden all the previous times I had read it unfolded. At that moment, I understood that I had missed many opportunities to prioritize helping our kids have an encounter with Jesus each and every week. Would you like to take a look at what was really going on in that story? Let’s start at the top of the chapter.

In Matthew 19:1–2, we see Jesus followed by great multitudes into the coastal area beyond Jordan. He began healing them in that place. What a healing meeting must have been happening! Can you picture the atmosphere? So many hurting, sick and miserable people being touched and restored by the Master. I can only imagine what it must have been like to witness that. Here’s the part of the story that’s shocking to me. While Jesus was doing His miracles, the Pharisees barged in and demanded an answer about divorce, even quoting Moses. Jesus dealt with their rude intrusion by responding with Truth and the Scriptures.

Next, something really cool happens. Parents brought their little ones to Jesus so He could minister to them. At that moment, Jesus’ disciples went into what I would call “zealous usher” mode. Rebuking these parents, they probably felt like they were keeping order. Jesus demonstrated a heavenly priority right there for all to understand. “Allow those little kids to come to Me!” He said. “This is what the kingdom of heaven is all about!” As soon as Jesus took time with these children and blessed them, He did something amazing. He left! That’s right, the healing meeting was over, the doctrinal disputes were over, and the meeting was done. It looks like Jesus was making a major point, but I think He was saying, “If you don’t let these little children have time with Me, I won’t make time for you.”

Here are three things that became unmistakable to me, and I try to remember them always.

1. Prioritize helping little children come close to Jesus.
2. Beware of (even well-meaning) people who don’t understand it.
3. When we make these little ones a priority, multitudes reap the benefits.

I will leave you with this question: what are you doing to allow children to come to the Lord in your home, church and neighborhood? Let me encourage you to reach for this. These little ones—they’re a big deal to God!