Are you sure?
This bookmark will be removed from all folders and any saved notes will be permanently removed.
WHAT JESUS KNEW ABOUT CHILDREN
As a gentle rebuke to a growing misconception amongst his disciples and in answer to a question which was asked, Jesus, the master Christian, made some very arresting statements on the subject of children which must have helped his disciples to express more humility, a quality they seemed at the moment to lack.
The question Jesus was asked is (Matt. 18:1), "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" The following is the recorded account of the way in which Jesus answered it (Matt. 18:2–4, 6, 10): "Jesus called a little child unto 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. ... But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. ... Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."
The Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key tothe Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, throws great light upon this passage. In the Glossary we find the metaphysical interpretation of the word children, and it is thought-provoking. It reads in part (p. 582): "Children. The spiritual thoughts and representatives of Life, Truth, and Love." Even slightly to understand this passage compels us to lift thought into a purely spiritual realm, the realm of perfect spiritual ideas. One definition of "idea" is "an image in Mind; the immediate object of understanding." This spiritual definition of children helps us to appreciate Jesus' thought of them and to understand why he spoke so definitely about them. It must have been because the treasured the natural goodness, happiness, purity, love, the genuine innocence and humility, of the true child thought, of which the little figure he tenderly held before his disciples was but a counterfeit.
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
May 3, 1952 issue
View Issue-
"STANDPOINTS CHANGED"
FLORENCE HAZZARD LLOYD
-
GOOD LISTENING
ROBERT DOLLING WELLS
-
"DECIDE QUICKLY"
HILDA M. JORDAN
-
FREEDOM
Lena D. Lantz
-
WHAT JESUS KNEW ABOUT CHILDREN
L. CECIL STUDDERT KENNEDY
-
RIGHT ESTIMATES
GERALD STANWELL
-
THOUGHT STAYED ON GOD
Althea Brooks Hollenbeck
-
SEEKING AND FINDING TRUE FRIENDSHIP
GRACE R. WHITE
-
GOD'S LAW OF PERFECTION
AGNES M. MILTON
-
MY PRAYER
Nanette Nelson Melvin
-
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
Richard J. Davis
-
DOMINION THROUGH PRAYER
Robert Ellis Key
-
LOVE'S WAY
Lucille M. Rapp
-
In Christian Science we are...
Edith D. Kellogg
-
The many blessings which have...
Kathrine W. Kruth with contributions from Mary K. Isenberger
-
"Divine Love always has met...
Elizabeth Mary Wolk
-
I should like to tell of my introduction...
Charles A. Taylor with contributions from Nell H. Taylor
-
It was through the love, gentleness...
Sibylla Katherine Titlestad
-
I am very grateful to God for...
Pansy S. Kaye with contributions from Charles R. Kaye
-
When Christian Science was...
Isabella S. Hayes
-
From the time I became a student...
Dorothy Mitchell Bate with contributions from Ruth M. Favret
-
Forty years ago an invitation to...
Emelie Ferguson with contributions from Helen Ferguson Hargreaves, Catherine Ferguson Brodine
-
Signs of the Times
with contributions from Canon R. P. Price, Earl Douglass, Frederick W. Leech