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I AND THE CHILDREN

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 8, 1901

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 2.

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I AND THE CHILDREN

By O. M. Hayward

O. M. HAYWARD
“BEHOLD I and the children which God hath given me.” Heb. 2:13. What a peculiar joy there is in a deep contemplation of these words! and what gratitude, admiration, and love they call forth from all who know Christ!
There is character in those words. They are characteristic of the matchless One who uttered them. The characteristic words of an earthly great man were: “I came, I saw, I conquered.” How differently those soldiers would have felt who returned, weary and wounded, from the battles had their leader said to his country: “I and the brave men you gave to go with me met the difficulties and overcame them.”
A mother goes out to arrange her flower beds and plant seeds. Her little ones, full of curiosity and expectancy, wish to “help.” In their enthusiasm they may displace the boundary stones, spill the seeds, and do more or less damage. When the father comes home at night, does the mother say: “I tried to fix up the lawn to-day, but the children were all in the way, as usual, and I could do nothing right”? There are many who might make such a report; but not the true mother. No matter how many plants had been ruined, or how many seeds spilled, or how many stones moved, or how many muddy little feet tramped on her skirts, her only report would be: “I and the children beautified the lawn to-day.”
Who does not know the gladness of the little ones to be thus recognized? Whatever their trials, mother bears the burden with them; and whatever her achievements, she shares with them the credit. So Christ relates himself to us; and see how far He carries us with Him: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also himself likewise took part of the same”—“I and the children” in structure. “He took on Him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren”—“I and the children” in likeness and nature. He “was in all points tempted like as we are”—“I and the children” in temptation. “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world”—“I and the children” in citizenship. “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me”—“I and the children” in oneness and perfectness, sharing the Father’s love. “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth”—“I and the children” in sanctification.
“I am the light of the world.” “Ye are the light of the world.” “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you”—“I and the children” in ministry. “Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion.”
Did you notice that word “behold”? It means “look,” “set your eyes upon.” John the Baptist said: “Behold the Lamb of God;” and the Lamb of God says: “Behold, I and the children.” On John’s part it was all Christ, but Christ presents himself to the Father as “I and the children.”
So through the childhood trials of the boy Jesus, on the hillside of Nazareth; through the days of toil in the carpenter shop; through the years of loving service to humanity in His public ministry; through the lonely watchings and the deep yearnings of that loving soul, so touchingly illustrated by that outburst of mingled sorrow and love, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, . . . how often would I have gathered thee;” down through the shades of Gethsemane; through the cruel mockings and scouragings, and up the steeps of Calvary; in his death and burial, and, praise God, in his resurrection and ascension to “heavenly places,” always and ever it is the same—“I and the children.”
Brother, sister, are you almost discouraged? Do temptations come so stealthily upon you that you are well-nigh overcome? Are the trials greater than you can bear? Does darkness close in and oppress your soul? Do sorrows wring your heart and disappointments crush your spirit? Have you tried, and tried in vain, to rise above that crossgrain in your make-up, to overcome that evil tendency? Does it seem as if your efforts for God and the right are all failures? Do you feel like laying down the armor? Oh, take courage, take courage! Jesus Christ has been right there, and conquered. More than that, you have been there in Him (“I and the children”), and conquered. He has not left us part way. He has carried us through. Claim the victory in Him, and let your heart be continually a wellspring of praise.