This is such an endearing scene! It may seem merely sentimental, but that is surely not what Jesus has in mind. Still, it is a wonderful and inspiring story that makes us feel good for the children, and none of that should be lost.

Of course, this scene is about much more than being nice to children. And it is not meant as an example for political candidates to follow in their attempts to win over adult voters. Jesus really did bless the children, and that included his hands personally conveying his holy love and care.

We all have a need to be blessed, and at the root of it all is that God created us with a desire to be blessed by God himself. We can even imagine ourselves being the children in this story—because, deep down, that is who we are. Jesus welcomes us, and in his welcoming we receive the kingdom of God. No matter our age or size, we don’t ­access Jesus by our credits or our victories or by the name we have made for ourselves, but only by our needfulness and the generosity of his blessing. As grown-ups or adults, we are still the children of God.

Sometimes it can be hard to believe that Jesus would really welcome us and really give his blessing to us. But when we feel that way—well, read the story again!