THE KING’S BUSINESS
343
Motive determines the worthiness. Christ and His disciples are returning from the Mount o f Transfiguration to Capernaum. Christ walks on very thought fully. He is occupied with the awful and momentous trials before Him. His heart no doubt craving sympathy. But in vain. The disciples were not thinking o f Him. Doubtless dropping behind Him on the journey they began disputing as to who was the greatest. Only three disciples being with Christ at the Transfiguration may have aroused jealousy. Judas, as. the treasurer may have been ambitious to be chief o f the Treasury in the New Kingdom. Their minds seem- to have J>een upon the new earthly kingdom they thought Christ was about to establish and each thought him self most worthy for the first place. Christ said nothing until they reached home and were quietly together. They had not consulted Christ as they had disputed by the way, but nevertheless He knew. We need never tell Him for He already knows because He is God. Christ’s questions greatly embarrassed the disciples. Were they ashamed o f themselves or Were they only annoyed because Christ knew? If Jesus should ask us about our thoughts, desires and conversation at the close of each day would we be humiliated? Things look very differently when told to Jesus than they do when wrangling over them ourselves. If we would only take all that annoy us to Jesus, before we go to the offender, there would be fewer quarrels. Grieved as Christ must have been with these disciples, yet He did not scold nor reprimand them, but gave them an object lesson. Picture vividly Christ with a child in His arms, as He talked to them. If some o f your girls have babies in their homes, draw from them some character
istics: (1) Perfect trust; ( 2 ) tender artd affectionate; (3) obedient and willing to learn j i(4) freedom from ambition, rivalry or jealousy. A baby doesn’t care if its playmate is of the nobility or o f the slums. It cares not whether its clothes are silk or rags. It cares nothing for wealth, rank or distinction, but sweetly trusts its parent for all its needs. Self-seeking has'no place in a child’s life, neither has it in a Christian’s. Surely Christ’s words “Whosoever shall receive one o f such little children in my name receiveth me,” was never more apt than in these days when we hear the plead ing cry o f the starving children o f Europe. The great majority o f Christian homes could care for one child. Arouse your girls to appeal to their parents. No service is too small to be rendered, nor will even a cup o f water be unrewarded if given in the name o f Christ (vs. 37, 41). Christ is trying to teach the disciples that real liv ing is not heaping upon self, but in giving cups o f kindness, cups o f love, cups, of thoughtfulness “ in His name” to others. One joy o f being a Christian is that one’s life counts in the lives o f others. And Christ teaches here that in no life does it count as in a child’s. A child wants to do and be just like those whom she loves.. Big sister, watch yourself. Your wee sister imitates you. God has given you the opportunity o f making her life almost what you will. He has given you the opportunity o f reproducing yourself in her. Be loving, sympathetic and true. Keep her confidence. Live so that she will be forced to look up to you. No one would think o f putting an obstruction in a child’s path which would harm the child. What does Christ say o f those who cause chil dren to stumble? (v. 42).
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