Basic HTML Version
26
The Ministry of Healing
interrupted in this way. When the mothers came desiring Him to
bless their little ones, the disciples looked on them with disfavor.
They thought these children too young to be benefited by a visit to
Jesus, and concluded that He would be displeased at their presence.
[41]
But the Saviour understood the care and burden of the mothers who
were seeking to train their children according to the word of God.
He had heard their prayers. He Himself had drawn them into His
presence.
One mother with her child had left her home to find Jesus. On
the way she told a neighbor her errand, and the neighbor wished
to have Jesus bless her children. Thus several mothers came here
together, with their little ones. Some of the children had passed
beyond the years of infancy to childhood and youth. When the
mothers made known their desire, Jesus heard with sympathy the
timid, tearful request. But He waited to see how the disciples would
treat them. When He saw the disciples reproving the mothers and
sending them away, thinking to do Him a favor, He showed them
their error, saying, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and
forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Mark 10:14
.
He took the children in His arms, He laid His hands upon them, and
gave them the blessings for which they came.
The mothers were comforted. They returned to their homes
strengthened and blessed by the words of Christ. They were en-
couraged to take up their burden with new cheerfulness and to work
hopefully for their children.
Could the afterlife of that little group be opened before us, we
should see the mothers recalling to the minds of their children the
scene of that day, and repeating to them the loving words of the
Saviour. We should see, too, how often, in after years, the memory
of these words kept the children from straying from the path cast up
for the ransomed of the Lord.
Christ is today the same compassionate Saviour as when He
walked among men. He is as verily the helper of mothers now as
when He gathered the little ones to His arms in Judea. The children
[42]
of our hearths are as much the purchase of His blood as were the
children of long ago.
Jesus knows the burden of every mother’s heart. He who had a
mother that struggled with poverty and privation, sympathizes with