When I envision Jesus and the little ones, I'm transported to a scene of tender embrace. His invitation, (Matthew 19:14) "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these”" echoes through the ages, a gentle call that resonates loudly to my eternal soul.

I recall the overwhelming love and connection I felt for my own children in their tender years. It was a bond that transcended words, a physical and spiritual connection. When we would embrace, all the while breathing the same air, sharing the same space, our hearts would be entwined in a tapestry of care and concern.

This same sentiment fills me when I contemplate my relationship with Jesus. He is the ultimate protector, the embodiment of love. I yearned to capture this essence in a painting, a visual representation of the embrace between a child and their divine savior.

Mark 10:13-16 echoes this sentiment, Jesus rebuking his disciples for trying to hinder the children's approach. He declares, "Whoever does not receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."

In this image, I hoped to portray the universal longing for protection and love, a longing that resonates in every heart, child and adult alike. Perhaps by seeing ourselves as the child in this embrace, we can better understand the path to the kingdom of God.

Reproduced from the artist's Digital painting. Created 2024.