Several years ago, after a week of Vacation Bible School, I was challenged by Bro. Howard Caldwell (Seeing Truth Ministries) to write a song about the importance of children coming to Jesus, with a specific focus on Matthew 18. This topic is near to my heart, and I began to study and pray about writing this song.
I trusted Christ as my Savior at a church youth event when I was four years old. There was no pressure, just a simple invitation after a brief devotion. Although my parents were there, when I went forward, a lady from our church took me to a quiet place to talk to me. I knew the story of Jesus dying on the cross and rising from the dead, but that night I understood for the first time that Jesus died for me. I realized that because of my sin, Jesus had been willing to give His life. I bowed my head, in the entryway of a local skating rink, and asked Him to forgive my sins and save my soul. I am thankful that He did.
How grateful I am that I trusted Christ when I was young! I have known Him most of my life and cannot imagine how different my life would be without His constant presence.
As I grew older, I came to realize that not everyone encourages children to be saved. In fact, many believe that children cannot understand or come to Christ. This contradicts the clear teaching of the Word of God. While I firmly believe that we should be careful that children understand the Gospel, I also fervently believe that we should be actively seeking to win children to Christ. Jesus had strong words for those who sought to keep children from coming to Him, and even stronger words for those who would harm or hinder those “little ones which believe in me”.
I began to study Matthew 18, and to pray that I would be able to share the burden that was on my heart in a song. I long to see children come to Christ. I also long to see adults have a greater burden to bring children to the Lord, and to do nothing that would hinder their coming to Him.
At the same time, I was very burdened about the tragedy of abortion, and the mindset (even among many Christians) that children are a burden, not a blessing. The first verse of this song is based on thoughts from Psalm 139, and seeks to convey the truth that every child was planned by God, and is valued and loved by Him.
I encourage you to read the following verses carefully. Notice that seven times Jesus speaks of “little” children. I’m so glad Jesus loves little ones!
Matthew 18:1-14 (emphasis added)
“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”
Did you ever notice that the verse that “…the Son of man is come to save that which was lost,” and the account of the lost sheep and the Shepherd who leaves the ninety and nine to find it, are given in the context of Jesus saving little children? What a beautiful, precious truth!
Friends, the greatest mission field in the world is at our feet, and we so often overlook it, or push it to the side to reach someone “more important”. We need to win our children to Christ! We need to win our own children. We need to win the children in our communities. Jesus loves them. He died for them. Let the children come.
LET THE CHILDREN COME
Seen by God before their birth then fashioned by His hand,
Each member written in His book according to His plan.
Every one a living soul, a soul for whom Christ died.
Little ones are loved by God; they’re precious in His sight.
Let them come to Jesus,
Bring them unto Him.
Gladly He’ll receive them,
Wash away their sin.
Teach them they are welcome,
Show them they are loved.
Seek them out and win them,
Let the children come.
Jesus called a little child to teach us to be great,
Example of humility, a model for our faith.
It is not the Father’s will for one to go astray.
Are we bringing them to Him or turning them away?
Let them come to Jesus,
Bring them unto Him.
Gladly He’ll receive them,
Wash away their sin.
Teach them they are welcome,
Show them they are loved.
Seek them out and win them,
Let the children come.
© 2015 Niki Lott.
This song can be heard on the recording, How Can I Sing?. The music is also available in the companion songbook, or as printed sheet music or PDF download. Be sure to look for the Book & CD package for a discount!
