What does it mean that Jesus loves the little children?

Answer

The renowned children’s hymn “Jesus Loves the Little Children” was penned by C. Herbert Woolston (1856–1927). The melody for the hymn was composed by George F. Root and originally titled “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys Are Marching.”

The lyrics are well-known:

   Jesus loves the little children

   All the children of the world

   Red and yellow

   Black and white

   They are precious in His sight.

   Jesus loves the little children

   Of the world.

The subsequent verses maintain a similar structure, replacing “Jesus loves the little children” with “Jesus died for all the children” and then “Jesus rose for all the children.” Contemporary renditions say, “Ev’ry color, ev’ry race, all are cover’d by His grace” instead of “Red and yellow, black and white. They are precious in His sight.”

The Bible upholds the message conveyed by this children’s hymn. It documents various occasions when Jesus engaged with children and showed them love. According to these accounts, Jesus esteems children and took the time to individually bless them.

One of the most famous instances of Jesus expressing love for children is recounted in Mark 10:13–14, 16: “People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’ . . . And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”

Jesus also performed numerous healings on children during His time on earth—curing them of illnesses (John 4:46-52).

… casting out demons (Mark 7:24-30;9:14-27), and raising at least one child from the dead (Luke 8:40-56).

Jesus clearly taught that He wants each of us to have the humility of children: “He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 18:2-4).

What does this mean? Jesus is talking about humility. Jesus is exhorting us to seek the humility of a child— to have a faith destitute of ambition, pride, and haughtiness. Children are teachable, and we should be, too.

The Bible is clear, Jesus loves the little children of the world.