LESSON 7: Jesus' Love for Children

This year his seasons of deep meditation were often broken into by Ruth and her playmates.
And always was Jesus ready to postpone the contemplation of his future work for the world and
the universe that he might share in the childish joy and youthful gladness of these youngsters,
who never tired of listening to Jesus relate the experiences of his various trips to Jerusalem. They
also greatly enjoyed his stories about animals and nature.

The children were always welcome at the repair shop. Jesus provided sand, blocks, and stones
by the side of the shop, and bevies of youngsters flocked there to amuse themselves. When they
tired of their play, the more intrepid ones would peek into the shop, and if its keeper were not
busy, they would make bold to go in and say, ‘Uncle Joshua, come out and tell us a big story.'
Then they would lead him out by tugging at his hands until he was seated on the favorite rock by
the corner of the shop, with the children on the ground in a semicircle before him. And how the
little folks did enjoy their Uncle Joshua. They were learning to laugh, and to laugh heartily. It
was customary for one or two of the smallest of the children to climb upon his knees and sit
there, looking up in wonderment at his expressive features as he told his stories. The children
loved Jesus, and Jesus loved the children.

It was difficult for his friends to comprehend the range of his intellectual activities, how he
could so suddenly and so completely swing from the profound discussion of politics, philosophy,
or religion to the lighthearted and joyous playfulness of these tots of from five to ten years of
age. As his own brothers and sisters grew up, as he gained more leisure, and before the
grandchildren arrived, he paid a great deal of attention to these little ones. But he did not live on
earth long enough to enjoy the grandchildren very much. 128:6.10