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The Desire of Ages
little child to Him, Jesus set him in the midst of them; then tenderly
folding the little one in His arms He said, “Except ye be converted,
and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of
heaven.” The simplicity, the self-forgetfulness, and the confiding love
of a little child are the attributes that Heaven values. These are the
characteristics of real greatness.
Again Jesus explained to the disciples that His kingdom is not
characterized by earthly dignity and display. At the feet of Jesus all
these distinctions are forgotten. The rich and the poor, the learned
and the ignorant, meet together, with no thought of caste or worldly
preeminence. All meet as blood-bought souls, alike dependent upon
One who has redeemed them to God.
The sincere, contrite soul is precious in the sight of God. He places
His own signet upon men, not by their rank, not by their wealth, not
by their intellectual greatness, but by their oneness with Christ. The
Lord of glory is satisfied with those who are meek and lowly in heart.
“Thou hast also given me,” said David, “the shield of Thy salvation: ...
and Thy gentleness”—as an element in the human character—“hath
made me great.”
Psalm 18:35
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“Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name,” said
Jesus, “receiveth Me: and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not
Me, but Him that sent Me.” “Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is My
throne, and the earth is My footstool: ... but to this man will I look,
even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My
word.”
Isaiah 66:1, 2
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The Saviour’s words awakened in the disciples a feeling of self-
distrust. No one had been specially pointed out in the reply; but John
was led to question whether in one case his action had been right. With
the spirit of a child he laid the matter before Jesus. “Master,” he said,
“we saw one casting out devils in Thy name, and he followeth not us:
and we forbade him, because he followeth not us.”
James and John had thought that in checking this man they had
had in view their Lord’s honor; they began to see that they were
jealous for their own. They acknowledged their error, and accepted the
reproof of Jesus, “Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do
a miracle in My name, that can lightly speak evil of Me.” None who
showed themselves in any way friendly to Christ were to be repulsed.
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There were many who had been deeply moved by the character and