THE CHILDREN'S THOUGHTS

We must always feed our minds with thoughts about the Lord Jesus. The very day on which the Israelites came into the promised land was the day on which they should take the passover lamb. This was not a tiny lamb but one full-grown, without fault of any kind. It had to be kept in the family for four days. How well the children would learn its perfections in that time!

This all happened to teach us that the greater our blessings are to us, the more we need to think upon the perfections of Jesus. By the Holy Spirit we know and see Him crowned with glory and honour but it is the same Jesus who, as man on earth, was perfect in His ways and motives. The four days of the passover lamb can perhaps be likened to the four Gospels and in each case chapter 3 and verse 16 seem of special interest.

Matthew records that the Spirit of God descended upon Jesus as He came up from His baptism. Then the Father's voice from heaven said "This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found my delight".

The scripture says 'lo' and 'behold' so it is vital to think of what thirty years of secret life had meant to God. This will lead to our own secret lives being pleasing too.

In Mark, the new name of Peter was given to Simon. This shows that the Lord was watching the work of God in this disciple just as He is now watching it in us. We are to rejoice that our names are written in the heavens - perhaps these names are not just our ordinary ones, but names given to us in connection with God's work and purpose for us!

The verse in Luke's gospel points out the Lord as the One who would baptise with the Holy Spirit and with fire. This is all part of the glad tidings and we know that the Spirit is here because Jesus is now glorified. He dwells in the obedient believer and gives power to do what is right and to refuse evil.

Countless children and older persons know by heart the words of John 3: 16. Again we learn what Jesus was to His Father as the only-begotten Son and wonder at the great love that gave Him for us. Are you one of the 'whosoever' that believe on Him and have life eternal?

J.C.Evershed