The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 121

serious ~acrifices on your behalf; but they are not gracious, genial, winning. They are not apprna,chabl,e; you are not drawn to them; you are not inclined to address them and make friends with them; they rather repel than invite you. Such wa.s not Jesus Christ. He was not only kind at heart, but kindly in manner and in bearing. The children of his day went freely and gladly to him. 'l'hat "he was never seen to smile" is, a wholly unauthorized and, we may be quite sure, an entirely false statement. Did he not take those infants into his arms with a smile upon his face? Did he not frequently, ay, constantly, smile as he looked upon innocency, upon hopefulness, upon childhood? 'l'hink of Jesus Christ as not only the kind but the kindly One, as not only the good but the gracious One, as not only the wise but the winning One. 'l'hink of him as that One to whom, if he were with us now as he was with men of old, you would be drawn with an irresistible attraction, and to whom you could, without any effort, unburden your heart. Aud believe that just what he was on earth he is in heaven. I!. JESUS CHRIST STILL RECEIVES US TO THE SHELTER OF BIS LOVING POWER, He took them up into his arms. The arms of the parent &re the place of shelter to the child; to them in all time of danger or of distress he naturally and eagerly resorts. It is the place of strength, of defence, of succour. But youth needs more than human sympathy and help; it needs a refuge in Divine tenderness and power. It does so always; but more particularly when parental care is lost, because the parents them- selves have "passed into the skies." Very seriously is this need felt when parental care is left behind, when youth or young manhood goes forth from the shelter of the home. Then how priceless is the shelter of the loving power of the Divine Friend I In that unknown "world" which lies beyond the home-life are perils that cannot be anticipated, and that are all unknown. Take care to secure the invaluable refuge of the Divine arm; for only in the protection of the all-wise Leader and almighty Friend will safety be fonnd. Ill JEsus CHRIST STILL LAYS ms BAND UPON us. Mark tells us (x. 16) that he "put bis hands upon them, and blessed them." You still sing, "I wish that his hands had been la.id on my head." It is a right and becoming thought. But the laying of the hand of flesh on those children's heads may not have wrought any great spiritual change in them; they may have grown up to reject him. Of far more consequence is it that Christ should now lay the hand of his Divine power and grace upon your heart; that he should so act upon you by his Divine Spirit that your mind should be illumined, and that yGu understand what is the good and the wise thing to do ; that your heart should be touched so that you will Ii ve to love him who is worthiest of all that is best. "His touch has still its ancient power." Yes; and more than the healing touch which gave sight to the blind and wholeness to the poor leper is that benignant power which opens the closed mind and cleanses the unholy heart. IV. JESUS LOOKS AND WAITS FOB YOUR SU11MISBION. He says that it is you who, of all people, can most readily enter his holy kingdom. He _must have your free and full consent. When he made the world, and sent the sun on its course, and gave to the sea its bounds, "he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." He e,ompel,s all things in nature to do his bidding; but he asks, he invites your trust, y~ur worship, your love. He cannot bless you as he ~ould unless you consent to rece1v:e him as your own personal Lord and Saviour and Friend. _But ~e ass~res you _that th~s is open to you as it is not to others; the young can readily give their attention, their docility their love, their obedience. Fewer and slighter hindrances are in your way than are' in the path of those who have travelled further. 0 f sueh as you are now ...1s the kingdom of God." This is the golden chance of your life.-C. Ver. 17.-The child of man and the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ not ?nly opened the gate of J1is kingdom to the little child a~ he opened his arms. to the _little children whom the mothers of J udab brouaht to him; he also took the little child as a type of the true disciple. He taught U: that if we wish to enter his kingdom, our spirit must be the child-spirit. "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as," etc. And what is this spirit? It is that of- . . . . I. DocILITY, or readiness to accept what is told us. The ideal child 1e ~cachable; 1t. will learn because it is ready to receive; it has not found out the way of d1strnst anti u1 011. xvm. 1-43.) THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. 125