A LITTLE CHILD
[p. 104] A LITTLE CHILD
References to children in Scripture are numerous, and none are more interesting than those in the gospels. A little child is usually attractive.
In Matthew we are told that the disciples inquired of the Lord, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of the heavens?” Before replying, “Jesus having called a little child to him, set it in their midst”. As in the midst, the child would be before the eyes of all the disciples. The Lord’s object in this was to demonstrate to their vision what He was about to convey in words to their ears. So He said, “Verily I say to you, Unless ye are converted, and become as little children, ye will not at all enter into the kingdom of the heavens”. The kingdom of heaven is of such, hence the urgent need that believers should become as little children. For this conversion is the first necessity, for naturally we do not wish to be considered little children; to become great or conspicuous is the governing motive in the unregenerate heart. The teaching of Christ suggests the opposite of this, and a little child represents the spirit of His instruction. Humility, simplicity, guilelessness and confidingness mark the little child. Hence the Lord says further, “Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of the heavens”.
We must inquire more closely into the instruction our Lord was pleased to furnish in this connection. For this we may turn to Mark 9:33, 37. In Matthew 18 it is simply a question as to who is greatest in the kingdom, but in Mark we read of a disputation among themselves who should be greatest, and Luke 9 of the “reasoning of their heart” as to this. Evidently the question was, Who should be greatest [p. 105] amongst themselves. The Lord discerns this reasoning of their hearts, and rebukes it by setting the little child before them.
In Matthew the child is called; he was not exactly with the Lord, we may say. This is often true of us, although in a general way we may have the character of a little child. But how blessed to have this character, and to be at least within the call of Christ, so that He might use us to reflect His own Spirit and nature before others. According to Mark He takes the little child and sets him in their midst. This suggests previous nearness. It comes after He had “called the twelve”, having sat down, and said to them, “If any one would be first, he shall be last of all, and minister of all”, Mark 9:35. Following this He takes the little child in His arms. How lovely is the picture. How worth while it is to be of no repute in one’s own eyes, if, as a consequence, one is taken into the arms of Christ! With this representative of a believer formed after Himself in His arms, the Lord further says, “Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receives me; and whosoever shall receive me, does not receive me, but him who sent me”, Mark 9:37. From this statement it is clear that the believer’s concern should be, in all his relations to be marked by the spirit and character of Christ. Being “one of such little children” here on earth in Christ’s name, the attitude of others towards him, whether it be of love or hatred, is really their attitude toward Christ and toward God. The Lord would call His people to Him, indeed He is doing so, and would sit down and instruct them in this way. May we all hearken and be learners!
Pages 106 - 228 — “Readings on Leviticus”, Brooklyn, 1917 (Volume 36.)