The Children’s Friend
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Jesus loved the children. He was pleased, too, to have them come to Him. His disciples would have kept back the mothers with their children, but He said, "Let the little children to come unto Me; forbid them not: for to such belongs the kingdom of God." Then He took them in His arms and blessed them.
Jesus repeatedly showed His love for children. Once when His disciples asked, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child, and, taking him in His arms, said, "Whoever humbles himself like this child—is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Sometimes children are despised on earth. "It is only a child," men say, and pass on. But Jesus was never too weary to give attention to a little child.
On every page of the gospel we see the figure of Jesus standing, reaching out His hands to the children. Indeed, there is no place in His kingdom for any but those who become like children. The old must become like children again—before they can enter the heavenly household.
A picture by Watts represents an old man, worn and feeble, lying back in his chair, dying. Round him lie the signs of all that he has been doing in his busy life. Then above his head is an angel bearing away his soul, newborn through death, in the form of a baby child. That is the way it must be at last with us all. Before we can enter heaven we must become like little children. Of such and of such only—is the kingdom. "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!" Matthew 18:3
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