What About the Children? | Dr. David Jeremiah

“When Heaven Holds the Children: A Message of Hope from Dr. David Jeremiah”

There is a moment in the Gospels that often gets overlooked—a moment when Jesus enters a home filled with grief. A twelve-year-old girl, the daughter of Jairus, had died. The mourners were wailing, and hope seemed gone. But Jesus stepped inside, looked at the devastated parents, and said words that still echo through centuries of sorrow: “Do not weep. She is not dead—she is sleeping.”

Then He took her hand, spoke life into her still body, and she rose. Those words were not only for Jairus. They are for every parent, every grandparent, every broken heart that has ever lost a child.

On November 10, 2013, youth pastor Cameron Cole had what he called “the most magical conversation of my life” with his three-year-old son, Cam. A missing Lego sparked a conversation about heaven, and that night little Cam—bright-eyed and full of joy—professed simple, childlike faith in Jesus. Hours later, he died without medical explanation. For Cameron and his wife, Lauren, this became the darkest valley of their lives. Yet in their grief, heaven suddenly felt near—because their firstborn was now there.

Many parents have asked the same heartbreaking question across generations: What happens to children when they die? Scripture gives us powerful reasons to hope.

1. The Compassion of Jesus

The Gospels show a Savior who cherished children. When others tried to push them away, Jesus welcomed them, blessed them, and declared, “Of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:14 is unmistakable: “It is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”

If this were the only verse in the Bible, it would still be enough. Jesus does not lose children. He gathers them.

This includes babies lost in miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, tragedy, or abortion. Life begins at conception, and every life is precious to God. Those little ones are safe—fully, eternally safe—in His presence.

2. The Character of the Father

God calls Himself our Father—not a distant force, not an indifferent creator. Scripture describes Him carrying His people “as a man carries his son,” full of tenderness, mercy, and compassion.

He knows children cannot yet grasp the fullness of the gospel. He knows their innocence, their limitations, their fragility. And He provides special grace for them. In His justice and love, He gathers those who are unable to believe and holds them as His own.

3. The Condition of Death

When Jesus said of Jairus’ daughter, “She is not dead—she is sleeping,” He was describing a spiritual reality. When a believer dies, their spirit is instantly alive with the Lord, while the body “sleeps” until the resurrection.

Scripture shows that children who pass—whether in the womb or in childhood—experience this same tender transition. They are not lost. They are not gone. They are safe in Jesus, awaiting the day He will awaken their bodies in glory.

4. The Confidence of David

Perhaps the most powerful evidence comes from King David. After losing his infant son, David poured out his grief in fasting and prayer. But once the child died, David rose, worshiped, and said something extraordinary:

“I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:23)

David wasn’t talking about the grave or despair. He believed with certainty that he would see his child again in heaven. That hope dried his tears. That promise brought him peace.

What About the Age of Accountability?

Scripture never assigns a specific age. Children become spiritually accountable when they can understand sin and grasp the gospel—and that moment is different for every child. What we do know is this:
Children who cannot yet comprehend the gospel are held in God’s grace, covered by His mercy, and welcomed by His love.