The Worth of a Child

“No child left behind” became a familiar slogan under President George W. Bush’s educational plan. The intent of the program was to provide equal access to educational opportunities for all children. The concept was not new with President Bush, but is as old as the Gospel story. Jesus rebuked the disciples who dared to restrict the children from approaching him. “Do not forbid them,” He said, “for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).

The innocence of a child is a reminder of the purity of the kingdom of heaven. Christ gave value to the weak, the weary, and the unwanted. Children were accepted and blessed, women were affirmed and valued, and the ostracized and the outcasts were acknowledged and restored. Heaven will be populated with the likes of these.
Such is the open faced trust and absolute confidence of a child that we often use the expression as a label of gullibility, “He is such a child.” But, Jesus elevated the simple virtues and venerated the innocence. In his lesson of true greatness Jesus warned that unless one becomes as a little child he will not enter the kingdom of heaven. He went on to say, “Whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4).

Even the promise of Pentecost was extended to children. “For the promise is to you and to your children” (Act 2:39). Many children at a young age have received this precious promise and the blessing of a born-again experience. The “as many as the Lord our God will call” must have included the children too!

Children give us hope for tomorrow and faith in the future. As age claims one generation, another takes its place. The blessing of birth allows us to experience the creative power of God, and participate with the perpetuity of life to come.
Through the eyes of a child we see the future; we see God!