THE CHILDREN'S SURPRISES

One day when the Lord Jesus was at Capernaum in Galilee He called a little child to Him to be a model of humility for the disciples. The boy or girl must have been near enough to Him to hear the call and was evidently ready to answer. What a surprise to be placed among the twelve apostles and be able to listen to the Lord's teaching! Matthew, one of those present, remembered that Jesus spoke at that time of being converted and about the "little ones who believe in me". This gospel-writer shows especially how the child was used in its simplicity as an example. Mark tells us that the incident took place in a house and that the child was taken up into the arms of Jesus, showing that he or she became an object of affection. According to Luke the child was also set down beside the Lord which was truly a place of honour.

I have often thought about the little boy who had the loaves and fishes at a time when a crowd of over five thousand people needed to be fed in a desert place. No doubt he had thoughtfully brought food with him so as to be able to stay as long as possible with the Teacher. Imagine his surprise and alarm when it was all taken from him! Quickly this was changed to joy that the Master could make use of what a child had brought and magnify it to feed so many. Perhaps too he kept near enough to the Lord to hear Him say "that nothing may be lost" when the fragments had to be gathered. This miracle is of special interest as being the only one recorded by all four of the gospel writers.

In the time of the prophet Elisha two poor and fatherless boys had a happy surprise just at a time when their mother had no means of buying food for them. She had already borrowed much from others and, strangely enough, the prophet told her to borrow even more. This time however it was empty vessels that were wanted, probably earthen ones. The surprise for the children was that every one of those vessels became filled with oil as their mother poured it out from just one potful which was the only thing they had in the house. From the sale of the oil there was enough money to meet all the needs of the household. Oil is a type of the Holy Spirit who dwells in the earthen vessel of the obedient believer. He provides us with all we need to live to God's pleasure and to our own happiness. Have you received the Spirit?

J.C.Evershed