heaven's sake," that
thereby they might be free to render all their time and energy to the
Lord's service. But the disciples' conclusion that "it is not good to
marry" was true only in the exceptional instances stated. Marriage is
honorable;[994] for neither man without woman nor woman without man can
be perfect in the Lord's sight.[995]

JESUS AND THE LITTLE ONES.[996]

The next event of record is one of surpassing sweetness, rich in precept
and invaluable in example. Mothers brought their little children to
Jesus, reverently desiring that the lives of those little ones be
brightened by a sight of the Master and be blessed by a touch of His
hand or a word from His lips. The circumstance appears in appropriate
sequence to that of the Lord's instructions concerning the sacredness of
marriage and the sanctity of the home. The disciples, zealous that their
Master be not troubled unnecessarily, and conscious of the continuous
demands on His time and attention, rebuked those who had so ventured to
trespass. Even the disciples seem to have been yet under the influence
of the traditional conception that women and children were of inferior
status, and that for such to seek the Lord's attention was an act of
presumption. Jesus was displeased over the misdirected zeal of His
followers, and rebuked them. Then He uttered that memorable sentence of
infinite tenderness and divine affection: "_Suffer the little children
to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of
God._" Taking the children one by one into His arms, He laid His hands
upon them and blessed them.[997] Then said He: "Verily I say unto you,
Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he
shall not enter therein."[998]

"ONE THING THOU LACKEST."[999]

Jesus was accosted on the way by a young man, who came running to meet
or overtake Him, and who knelt at His feet, inquiring: "Good Master,
what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" The question was asked
in earnestness; the questioner was in very different spirit from that of
the lawyer who made a similar inquiry with the purpose of tempting the
Master.[1000] Jesus said: "Why callest thou me good? there is none good
but one, that is, God." This remark was no denial of sinlessness on the
Savior's part; the young man had called Him "good" by way of polite
compliment rather than in recognition of His Godship, and Jesus declined
to acknowledge the distinction when appl