What’s worse, he elevated the lowest of the low as the preeminent example of the character of faith. In short, he liked kids more than they were worth. Now, children ministries love to tell stories of how Jesus welcomed children. So sweet, wasn’t he? Bless these little ones. To be fair, it was genuine, but it’s used too much as a photo-op. Once again, The Son of God played for an impact that was beyond the surface.

Children in the first century were not always valued. In their early years, they required considerable care that had little return, for the death rate among the young was high. Why have emotional investment in those who could very well die before they could work and be profitable? Children were the least among the lesser ones of status. They could not speak, work, or carry any influence to further the cause. Beyond that, the Jews knew pagan cults were not beyond stealing children for slavery or sexual molestation, even child-sacrifice. Surviving childhood was almost a miracle. Don’t wrap your life around them.

It’s almost silly how one day his followers were arguing who would be the greatest in heaven. These guys were losers from the start, and now they pictured themselves in some kind of celestial hierarchy. Just goes to show what a crowd around your leader can do for you. But Jesus calls a child to his side, saying, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me…Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” (Luke 9:46-48) Huh? These whining brats? Dear Lord, what are you getting at?

Yep, he chose losers, and were they ever a drag around his neck. A simple lesson that had to be repeated. Another time, parents were turned away when they tried to bring their kids near so Jesus could touch and bless them. His followers only saw that as a bother. Jesus noticed and wouldn’t have it. Hear the frustrated, measured anger in his voice: “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Anyone who doesn’t have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:16-17) Slammed again!

Losers were a drag around his neck all the time. Even so, you can tell he loved them by how he often called his followers. “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of Heaven…” (Mark 10:24) “Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” (John 12:36) “Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. (John 13:33) “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) “In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:45) He spoke and taught losers as children, and he loved them.

Jesus called children unto himself knowing they innately have the most simple, unadulterated trust which love requires as its basis. In effect, he loved then the unlovable. With another reversal that slams into the center of social and cultural values, he demonstrated that all persons who would be loved by God have that which makes them unlovable and certainly are not generally thought to be among the greatest. 

But to be loved by this Son of God, one must become counted among the child-like losers.