Most adults work hard to hide their fear. In the presence of greatness, we still manage to smile, and with a warm handshake, we say: “It’s an honour to meet you.” Those who have been privileged to be in the presence of royalty usually research proper etiquette before such an encounter and appear calm, cool and collected. Children — not so much. The truth of how they feel inside is readily apparent in their behaviour.

Years ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin, the former KGB agent, tried to make himself more relatable to his people and their children by stopping to talk to a child. The encounter frightened the child greatly, and the images of the terrified boy went viral. It wasn’t exactly the photo-op the President was looking for. Pundits and journalists joked about the President’s obvious warm and gentle, velvet-glove-touch with his people and how he was able to prove conclusively just how comfortable his people felt in his presence.

In fairness to Putin, we’ve all seen similar pictures of children frightened by Santa Claus in the mezzanine of a shopping mall — crying and clinging to their parents, simply terrified.

What was it about Jesus that seemed to draw the young to Him? Mothers and fathers, by the hundreds, took their children to see and hear Him. Do you think they saw the daily evidence of His gentleness, compassion, welcoming face, trustworthiness and total respect and love for people, wherever He found them and in whatever state?

The news of such a Person could not stay local in the village. The news of Jesus spread from town to town, and literally thousands gathered to catch a glimpse of Him, hear His words, and seek His attention, His help, and His healing.

When He called (invited) a youngster over to Himself, we don’t read of the parents clinging to their child. Nor do we read of any hesitance or fear on the part of the young ones, causing them to turn away and bury their face in their parents’ clothing. The villagers and town residents were impressed! One can only think that before the parents ever took their family to see Jesus, the children had heard very favourable things about Him in their homes.

Here is one such occasion:

He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea… See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. Matthew 18:1-11

In Matthew 19, the moms and dads made an effort to bring their children to Jesus, hoping that He would simply pay attention to their kids and pray with them. But on that particular day, the Saviour was much too busy to be bothered with youngsters. He had far more important people to reach that day. That is absolutely not the storyline in Matthew 19! He reached out His hand to each of them. The Gospel of Mark tells us He picked up the children in His arms and blessed them.

There were no reports of the children being frightened nor parents shrinking back with second thoughts about having their children meet this amazing young Man called Jesus. Just the opposite!

When you are tempted to think that there are more important things to do and bigger people to whom you should be paying attention — as if the youngsters were Class B – get to your Bible and read about Christ. Ask yourself if you are gentle. Do you have a kind, smiling, and welcoming countenance and display patience with children? Or do you, like many of us, need to pray words to this effect:

"Lord, I confess I have very little patience with children who are not my own. I not only look stern and sharp, but I am stern and sharp and even 'snap' at them sometimes. I have sinned miserably in communicating to young hearts something of Christ's gentleness, meekness and love. O God, help me!"

Many will be working with young people in outreach activities over the coming months. Pay particular attention to how you express your kindness and gentleness to people. Show children of all ages, from all backgrounds and life circumstances, the love of Christ. Pray about becoming a gentler and more welcoming person on all occasions, for sure, but especially when you are working with kids in the Sunday School and in community outreach. No roughness, no brusqueness, no snappiness. Show total respect for boundaries and never violate their trust. Show them Christlikeness in your dealings with them.

Although not the focus of this Bible Bite, if you are interested in reading more about ensuring child safety in faith-related activities and settings, click here to read a 102-page document online. You may also wish to check out MSC’s Plan to Protect Program.

Here are five New Testament references to the importance of children in the eyes of the Lord. Matthew 18:3-5, Matthew 19:14, Mark 9:36-37, Luke 18:15-17, 2Timothy 3:15. We know from verses such as Deuteronomy 10:17–18 , Psalm 68:5 and James 1:27 that the fatherless children and orphans are upon God’s heart as well.

 “Lord, work in my heart so I will reflect something of the care and compassion, patience and kindness of Christ to the children who cross my path. May they see something of Christ in me.”