''Let the little children come to Me.'' Quiz

Answer: Jesus and John

John the Baptist is mentioned at his naming ceremony. Luke 1:80 says, 'And the child (John) grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.' Jesus is, of course, mentioned at His naming ceremony and also at the incident of His going missing in the Temple as a twelve year old in Luke Chapter 2. Salome, whose name is not mentioned, is widely believed (from historical sources) to be Herodias' daughter whom Herodias made ask king Herod for the head of John the Baptist.

Answer: Jesus went to Nazareth and was obedient to His parents.

Even though the boy Jesus spent almost 3 days in the Temple away from His family, listening and discussing the Scriptures with the Teachers, He returned obediently. Luke chapter 2: '"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what He was saying to them.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.'

Answer: Luke

Luke undoubtedly is the clear winner, especially when it comes to the Christmas Nativity story account, with more detail than Matthew. Jesus' own boyhood story of being missed and found in the Temple is only in Luke. However the popular wise men, or 'Magi', story is found in Matthew. Luke is more a common person's Gospel portraying Jesus as Savior especially for the poor, marginalised and downtrodden of society like shepherds, women and children.

Answer: Twelve

Jairus was a synagogue ruler who came and begged Jesus to visit his home and heal his dying daughter. Both Jesus (as a child) and the girl were 12-year-olds in the mentioned accounts. Of course both were resurrected from the dead at different times. They both also ate a meal with their family-friends after being resurrected. An important difference, perhaps,is that Jesus instructed Jairus and his wife not to spread the news of the miracle; however, in Mark 16, Jesus instructs His disciples specifically to spread the good news of His own death (for the sins of the world) and resurrection.

Answer: Her daughter was healed instantly when Jesus spoke it into being (without a visit).

When the lady asked Jesus to drive out a demon from her daughter Jesus gently retorts that it is not right for Him to give the food or blessings intended for the children (Jews) to the dogs (Gentiles). However the lady keeps her composure and says that even the dogs eat from the leftover scraps. Jesus, pleased with her faith, speaks healing to her daughter in that moment itself.

Answer: Those who accept it like a little child.

Mark 10:13-15,"People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them." In Mark 9, Jesus also says, via the example of a little child, that whoever wants to be the greatest must be last and the servant of All.

Answer: To heal Jairus' 12 year old daughter

Perhaps it is more than a coincidence that Jesus, on His way to resurrect Jairus' 12 year old daughter, heals a lady who had been suffering for 12 years. Mark chapter 5, "When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.' Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering." Both accounts witness to a new blessed fresh life start for the girl and the lady.

Answer: Five barley loaves and two fish.

There are six accounts of two mass feeding miracles in the Gospels. The boy supplies or shares his five loaves and two fish for the first miracle and then Jesus again multiplies seven loaves and a few fish in the second. The disciples realise the impossibility of the task of feeding the multitude even if they had the money; however, Andrew brings Jesus' attention to the boy and the rest is Scriptural miraculous inspiration.

In summary, the enormity of the miracle is ascertained in the twelve baskets of left over fragments after the 5000+ crowd had had their fill.

Answer: John

The six accounts are, Matthew 14:15-21, Mark 6:35-44, Luke 9:12-17, John 6:1-13 & Matthew 15:32-39, Mark 8:1-10. John is often called the Gospel of Love. Love is a prominent theme in his epistles as well. John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." 1 John 4:16 - "God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." In love via the boy's offering Jesus feeds the multitudes however at the same time exhorting them (after they had their fill) to be more spiritual in their approach to life and to rather work for the food which endures to eternal abundant life.

After all they were fed because of their desire first to hear Jesus' Words and experience healing miracles.(John chapter 6)

Answer: To believe (with love) in the One God has sent

John 6:33-35 - "For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'" In verse 51 Jesus says, 'I am the living bread of life that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.

This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.' Jesus basically saying whoever places her or his faith in Him (Life, Death and Resurrection) will have abundant eternal life. For in Christ what counts is faith working via love. (Gal 5:6)