THE CHILDREN'S GAMES

I often wonder whether any of the children of Judea knew that Jesus was watching them play. Of course, it is right for children to play together. Indeed, when God gives salvation and peace on earth to the Jews, the streets of Zion will be full of boys and girls playing together (Zechariah 8: 5).

But I am sorry to say that the children of Palestine did not always play their games properly and fairly, and Jesus saw that too. They played in the marketplaces, but often some of them had to complain at the others for not doing as they should. "We have piped to you, and ye have not danced: we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept" they said (Luke 7: 32).

And the Lord Jesus gave a lesson from this. The grown-ups, too, were not doing what they should. John the Baptist had come and the people thought him so severe that he must be a wicked man. But really he was the forerunner making way for Jesus. And not only did they refuse John, but they refused Jesus Himself, and complained because He was a friend of sinners. But the sinners did not complain: they loved Him. Do you?

J.C.Evershed