In this post, we continue our series in which we are making correlations between the Gospels of Jesus and the Revelation of Baha’u’llah.

One of the most beautiful passages in the Gospels of Jesus centers around children and their purity of heart. This is from the Gospel of Matthew-

About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them.  Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

“And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming Me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in Me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

Purity of heart is also a major theme in the Revelation of Baha’u’llah.  His “first counsel” is to “possess a pure, kindly, and radiant heart”.

O SON OF SPIRIT! My first counsel is this: Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart, that thine may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable and everlasting.

O SON OF MAN! Rejoice in the gladness of thine heart, that thou mayest be worthy to meet Me and to mirror forth My beauty.

He also warns us, as does Christ, about the dangers of planting “thorns of doubt in pure and radiant hearts”.  The imagery that Jesus gives us about the implications of spiritually harming a child is so vivid- “it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.”  Our modern experience has taught us the immense importance of protecting children. Various forms of childhood trauma are among the most challenging experiences to overcome. We can now appreciate, more than ever, the guidance given to us by Jesus about protecting children- and the implications of not doing so. 

Baha’u’llah told us that people and children are the true “treasures” of a community and we must protect and nurture that treasure at all times.  Even when teaching about religion, He warned us to ensure our teaching did not “harm the children by resulting in ignorant fanaticism and bigotry”.

The spiritual and moral education of children is a major focus of Baha’i community activities all over the world. Formal trainings in childhood education are delivered regularly and programs are offered by Baha’i communities for children, junior youth, and youth.  These programs are open to all the members of the community, not just Baha’is, teaching purity of heart, the oneness of humanity, and the other qualities that distinguish an illumined soul. 

The following is a beautiful prayer often used in those classes-

O God! Educate these children. These children are the plants of thine orchard, the flowers of Thy meadow, the roses of Thy garden. Let Thy rain fall upon them, the Sun of Reality shine upon them with Thy love. Let Thy breeze refresh them in order that they may be trained, grow and develop, and appear in the utmost beauty.  (‘Abdu’l-Baha’)

Next post in this series- Falling Stars