Article February 6, 1926 Issue

God's Children

MARIE H. LACKEY

Mrs. Eddy, in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 236), tells us that "Jesus loved little children because of their freedom from wrong and their receptiveness of right." This love is shown in the instance in the Gospel of Matthew where he was asked by his disciples, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child to him and set him in the midst of them and said: "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

It is interesting and helpful always to remember that the same conditions of thought were prevalent in Jesus' time as in this present day. At the moment referred to the disciples were apparently thinking more of greatness in the kingdom than of the requisites for reaching that exalted state. This Jesus rebuked, and with true wisdom showed them that the first step was conversion, without which they could not even enter the kingdom, much less rule in it. Sometimes we, too, in our impetuosity and impatience to gain all in an instant, may lose sight of this great first requirement.

One cannot tell all that might have been in the thought of these students at that particular moment, but it would seem that through their experiences and demonstrations as disciples of Christ Jesus they had become somewhat elated and proud over victories won, and so had forgotten the essential qualities of childlikeness and humility. At least, Jesus at the time saw the need of rebuking them.

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