But the passage, as it stands in Matthew, is still more instructive when considered with its context. Let us look at it in this way. The Pharisees, in verse 3, would fain hinder Him in His path of “going about doing good,” by entangling Him with the religious questions of the day, on the subject of marriage. Their minds were wandering in the darkness of their own reasonings and traditions, and they were even wishing to try Him by the ever-changing standard of their own opinion.
But Jesus, whose delight was in the law of the Lord, and whose constant meditation was there, was at no loss. He mentions both the work of God in the garden of forming only one man and one woman, and His accompanying word, quoted in verse 5. In vain do they urge Moses’s subsequent permission to put the wife away if a writing of divorcement were given; they were told that this, like other things of the law, was not what God had “pleasure” in, but was only temporary and for their sakes. Jesus still holds forth the relationship as it stood in the mind and will of God, as one perpetually binding on those who stood in it. Thus the word of God was a “lamp to the feet” of Jesus, and a “light to His path;” and His obedience of mind was seen in contrast with their self-will and free thinking. Well might He say, (John 14:10,10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. (John 14:10)) “The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself.”
The timid disciples next touch the subject. They refer to the burden the relationship might be, if this were the doctrine concerning it: they speak of its not being “good to marry.” Jesus’ answer admits that the ability to receive His teaching was not in nature―it must be “given.” Those who stood aloof from it “eunuchs” ―are then mentioned; compulsion making some to be such, and devotion to Christ’s service others; as Paul, for instance. (1 Cor. 7) Thus was the entering on the relationship seen to be voluntary; but when entered on, the nature of it to be learned from God, and God to be looked to for grace to walk in it.
How instructive is all this! “Order my steps in Thy word,” is the prayer in the Psalm; and here we surely see the doctrines and authority of that word brought to bear on life’s every day footsteps and relationships. Thus only will the rest of the verse be realized― “and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Thus was the mind of Jesus on all topics fashioned from the word. Human opinion, which is only mental self-will, originates or adopts, in matters of daily life, what maxims it pleases. God is not bowed to, nor His pure word loved. How different with Him whose ear was “wakened morning by morning to hear as the learned.” The “opening of” Wisdom’s “lips” on this occasion, as always, were indeed “right things.”
Such were His doctrines in contrast with men’s self-pleasing opinions. We next see His conduct, while still amidst life’s daily relationships. Children― “little children” ―were brought to Him, and it was instantly seen that He who drew His doctrine from the word of God walked in the ways of God. His doctrine was light, for “God is light;” His ways were love, for “God is love.” He had taught the truth of God as to marriage; He now walked amidst the demands which the feebleness of “little children,” (Luke says, “infants,”) made on Him in divine love and patience.
His disciples were not prepared for this. Had their Master’s steps been hindered by some more showy matter, such as the inquiry of the wealthy and fair-spoken young ruler, of whom we next read, they might perhaps have raised no objection. They might then, like Samuel, (1 Sam. 16:6, 76And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him. 7But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:6‑7)) have too easily concluded, that the man of stature and outward attractions was the Lord’s anointed. But “little children” they could pass by; such “weak things of the world” were beneath their notice, still more, they judged, were they beneath their Master’s.
These same disciples had thought His doctrine as to marriage irksomely strict, and now they could not bear being called on to tarry for “little children.”
How true, then, it is that self-will soon leads to impatience, and pride in conduct; while He, whose very mind was habitually subject to God, glorified God also in the meekness and purity of His ways. In both passages He speaks of “the kingdom.” He refers to some, in vs. 12, who deliberately avoid the marriage tie, not because they resist the life-long character of its obligations, but Jesus says, “they make themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.” “Kingdom of heaven” is again on His lips when these “little children” are brought. Wisdom’s delights were ever with the “sons of men” (Prov. 8:3131Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. (Proverbs 8:31)); and not less so now that in humiliation for their sakes He stood among them. The feeblest ones of that race were precious in His sight, for it was from among them, not angels, that the kingdom was formed.
Further: “the calling” was not mainly among the mighty, or the noble of the race; but “God hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty.” What wonder, then, that Jesus said, as the group of little ones stood around Him, “forbid them not to come unto Me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
Does not this passage, taken with its context, teach us the secret of a Christ-like care for children? In order to it, must we not be, with reference to all life’s relationships, diligent students of The Word. Must we not be ready to say to all who confront us in our path, “Have ye not read?” Surely, if thus with “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” we fight against “the desires of the flesh and of the mind,” we shall also have our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace,” among the feeblest and tenderest of “little children.” Fathers will then not “provoke their children to wrath,” nor teachers their scholars.
The strength for it is to abide in Christ; to feed on Him by faith; we shall then be like Him, not by fancied ability to imitate Him, which would be as though the thistle could produce figs, but they that eat Him live by Him, (John 6:57,57As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. (John 6:57)) and so they obey “the example” left “that they should follow His steps.”
Thus “they overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.”
A man may give up the world, and yet not give up himself. He will then surround himself with what is of himself, his own world.