the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. For of such is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3; Matthew 19:14.
That the Lord did not say this to simple-minded men, concerning whom one might believe that they are of no account and that it were better for them to remain in their simple-mindedness, but to the first and most important in His kingdom, yea, to the apostles themselves, is a fact we know and of which we may read before and after the Scripture passage just quoted. There are many other passages in which Christ exhorts His disciples to become lowly and to humble themselves. As He Himself was the most lowly, and the most childlike, we may learn from His example, even though He had not exhorted us in plain words. He who will not become a child, child-like, is no fit applicant for the kingdom of heaven. How should he be able to be a teacher and a guide to heaven? We see, then, that this kingdom distinguishes itself from all other kingdoms. It is the greatest; it is vast; and yet no giant, none mighty in power, can seize it. Only children can get possession of it, and take it by violence. In this sense also it is true that "when I am weak, then am I strong," for I can lift the heavens and carry them away. On the contrary, if I am strong, then I am weak and cannot hold anything fast, so that I must let go of all, both heaven and earth.
Lord, make me humble as a child,
Lord, make my spirit pure,
That love’s own message, sweet and mild.
My heart from sin may cure.
