4152 — Suffer the Little Children
In Matt. 19:14, to whom did Christ refer? Did He mean actual young children, or all that came to Him, whether old or young? G. R. The context clearly shows here that He had reference to little children, that is, little children according to the flesh; for "then were there brought unto Him little children, that He should lay His hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them." The disciples seemed to think that those children were too young and too small to claim the Master's attention at all; and our Lord left it on record, for all time, that it was not the older ones alone who were to come, but the little ones as well. Then in the latter part He shows us just what kind of individuals will inherit the kingdom of heaven,—"to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven," that is, to those who have the trusting mind of the child. This is shown in Matt. 18:3, 4: "Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." That is, they should have the simple, yielding, trusting heart of the child. As expressed by an apostle, "In malice be ye children, but in understanding be men;" but keep the trusting child heart all the way.