In addition to healing those who were afflicted, Jesus duplicated his Old World blessing the children:
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:13–16)
In the Old World, the parents initiated the blessing. Their instinctive act would be to present their beloved children to this beloved Savior. Perhaps they had some idea that his touch would prevent illness. Or perhaps it was simply to bring them in contact with one so holy and powerful, allowing them to feel the Spirit along with Jesus’s physical touch. In the New World, Jesus initiated this ministry to the children.