When our Lord Jesus Christ was on the earth, He was once displeased. It was not because they called Him evil names; it was not that they charged Him with having an evil spirit; it was not when they took up stones to kill Him, and when they cast Him out of the city; nor was it when they mocked and scourged Him, nor when they nailed Him to the cross, and derided Him in His pain. He bore all this with meekness, like a lamb. But when Jesus saw that His disciples would have kept little children from coming to Him, He was "much displeased," and said to them, "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."
Why did the disciples wish to keep them back? Why did they stand in the way, and forbid them from coming to Jesus? Had they not often seen how kind and loving He was even to the weakest and the poorest? Surely before this they must have seen His tender regard to the young. But while the disciples would have kept the children away, Jesus looked upon their young faces; He told the mothers and friends to bring the children to Him, and as He looked upon them He showed how much He love them. "He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them."
You know the old hymn which begins—
I think when I read that sweet story of old
When Jesus dwelt here among men,
And called little children like lambs to His fold,
I should like to have been with them then.I wish that His hands had been put on my head,
And that I had been placed on His knee,
And that I might have seen His kind look when He said,
"Let the little ones come unto me."
You think if Jesus were now on earth it would be easy to go to Him. You would ask your parents to take you to Him. But you can approach Him, now He is in heaven, more easily than you could if He were on earth. How could children who live in America get to Jesus at Jerusalem? How could the little Hindoos or Africans reach Him, or the young in China, or the South Seas? Thousands of miles by land and by water would have to be passed before you or they could get to Him. And then, how could the poor obtain the money, or find the time, that would be needful? Yes, it is better that Jesus is in heaven; and we can all draw nigh to Him, from all parts of the world, at one time; and we are sure that the same love which led Him to receive little children many years ago, will lead Him to receive and bless them now.
There is everything in Jesus to win your heart. He is meek, lowly, and full of love. He can do you all the good you need, and save you from all the evil you fear. If you are a poor child, He can make you rich with the best riches, for He can give you His grace. If you are an ignorant child, He can give you His Holy Spirit to teach you. If you are an orphan child, He can be better to you than father or mother and all earthly friends. If you are an afflicted child, He can comfort and bless you. But one thing is certain: you are a sinful child, and if you wish to be saved, you must go to Jesus. He will save you from the power of sin, and from its guilt and punishment. He obeyed His Father's law, and died on the cross, that He might save all who believe on Him. He is a kind friend, a rich friend, a powerful friend, an ever living friend. He is so kind. He will give you everything you need. He is so rich that He can give it to you. He is so strong that He can protect you from all your foes. He never dies, and His friendship can never end. Go then to Jesus. He will make you happy while you live, happy when you die, and happy for ever in Heaven with Him.
From The Children of the Bible. Chicago: Moody Press, [ca. 1900]. Edited.
>> More Children of the Bible