IF all the good men who ever walked this earth, the Lord Jesus is the “Chiefest among ten thousand,” and the “altogether lovely” One.
Many during their lifetime did “virtuously,” but the Lord Jesus, during His life on earth, excelled them all, and as in all other things, so also as the lover of little children, He has the pre-eminence. It was when He was here on earth that the Lord Jesus displayed before all men, how great was His love for children. He never was too busy, or too tired, to “gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” In order to show you His matchless love for “the lambs,” I will tell you a little about the children who saw Jesus on earth.
In three of the gospels, we read of a little boy who not only saw Jesus, but, as Mark tells us, the Lord Jesus actually took the little fellow up in His arms. (Mark 9:36-3736And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. (Mark 9:36‑37).)
The disciples had disputed among themselves who should be the greatest, and in order to teach them, humility, the Lord called this “little child unto Him.” Now we are not told whether the little boy was at play or what he was doing at the time when Jesus called him; but this we do know, that when Jesus called him, he came to Him.
O! that every boy and girl would come at once to Jesus.
Then Jesus sat this little boy in the midst of His disciples, and there the little fellow stayed, while Jesus taught His disciples humility. If the child did not understand all that He said to them, it was very nice to be so near Jesus. Jesus took the little boy up in His arms, and said to them, “Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me; and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me.” (Mark 9:3737Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. (Mark 9:37).)
These last words show what tender regard the Lord has for His “lambs”. To do them a kindness is to do that which pleases Jesus.
A poor, little cripple child that believes on Him, has perhaps to lie still indoors, while other boys and girls can run about and play. Any little act of kindness, done to such a one for Jesus’ sake, it pleases the Lord just as much as if it was done to Himself; it may be only to carry the poor cripple child a bunch of flowers. But on the other hand, if anyone is unkind to a little boy or girl who believes on Jesus, the Lord will remember that unkind action, just as much as if it had been done to Himself. (Mark 9:4242And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. (Mark 9:42).)
It appears from Mark 9:4242And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. (Mark 9:42), that this little boy already believed on Jesus. The Lord is as pleased to own the faith of a little child, as He is to own the faith of a grown-up person. The “little ones” that believe on Jesus on earth, shall Forever praise Him in heaven, and it is our blessed privilege to praise Him all the time we are down here. May we be able to say, with the Psalmist, “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psa. 34:11<<A Psalm of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.>> I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1).
ML-05/02/1920