The Bible Story, Volume 8: Prince of Princes 0828008027, 9780828008020

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THE BIBLE STORY VOLUME

VIII

Prince of Princes

(From His Early Ministry

to His Last Parables)

71-

STORY

BIBLE

More Than Four Hundred Stories in Ten Volumes Covering the Entire Bible From Genesis to Revelation

^ VOLUME

^

EIGHT

Prince of Princes

BY ARTHUR Author of Uncle Arshiir

s

S.

The

MAXWELL

Stories, The Children's Secret of the Care, etc.

Bediime

Hour With Lncle

Arthur.,

IZ

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION Mountain

\'ie\v,

California

Illlll 1 tilb DOCylC BOOK THIS

IS COPYRIGHTED, 1956, ,s by the Review and Herald Publishing Association. AH rights are reserved. No part of its literary or pictorial contents may be reproduced without permission from the publishers.

CONTENTS Part

I

—

Stories of the Prince of Healers

Matthew

9:18-32;

19:9;

John

14:22-15:28;

12:10-13;

5:21-7:37; 7:31-37; 10:46-52;

Luke

20:30-34;

Mark

1:40-45;

7:18-35; 9:12-17; 17:11-19; 18:35-

5:1-19; 6:1-14

PACE 1.

Withered Hand Made Whole

2.

Sick

..-

Woman

9 12

4.

Healed Dead Girl Lives Again Needy Foreigner Helped

5.

Lonely Prisoner Cheered

22

6.

Dumb Man

25

7.

Blind

8.

Old Cripple Walks

33

9.

Lepers Cleansed

37

Hungry People Fed Drowning Man Saved Greedy Man Made Generous

41

3.

10. 11.

12.

Part II

Man

15

19

Speaks

28

Sees

47

49

—

Stories of the Prince of Teachers

Matthew 5:1-7:27; 17:1-18:35; Luke 6:1-49; 9:28-42; 10:38-14:6

20:20-28;

Happiness

Mark

7:1-23;

10:32-40;

55

1.

Secrets of

2.

Lessons

3.

God's Better

4.

How

5.

Treasures in Heaven

70

6.

73

7.

House on a Rock Good Deeds on a Good Day

8.

Glimpse of the Kingdom

79

to

From

Little

Things

Way

Pray

58

62

66

75

5

- ^

^m.

TWO

PART

STORY

10

Money

EVEN

though Jesus

in a Fish

His

tried

best to love people

Him who didn't want to because He was so popular and

be loved.

hated

They

Him

and

men around

be kind to them, there were always some

disliked

Him

He was

because

so good.

happens

It

"take are

it

out" on those

mean

to the ones

who behave themselves, and the who study hard and get good

Jesus'

One day

a

group came

innocent, asked, "Is Jesus

So

Him

He

for treason;

didn't say Yes or to the face

grades.

into say-

into trouble.

and, trying to appear very

He said No, the Romans He said Yes, the people who

at once. If if

Romans would have

and pointed

88

Him

to

Him

slackers

lawful to pay tribute to Caesar.^"

it

saw the trap

arrest

hated the

Him

enemies were forever trying to trick

ing or doing something that would get

would

The bad boys

like that at school sometimes.

on

it.

a case against

No.

He

Him.

merely asked for a coin

"Whose image

is this.?"

He

asked.

MONEY

IN A FISH

"Caesar's," they said,

wondering

His question.

at

"Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's,"

He

repUed; "and unto

God

the things that are

God's."

This

left

them

and which belong they "left

to decide to

which things belong

God. This was too hard

Him, and went

their

Another time the tax

to Caesar

for them, so

way."

collectors

in

Capernaum asked

Peter whether his Master paid tax.

"Yes," said Peter, hurrying

had

to tell Jesus

what they

said to him.

seems that the tax

It

at that

while willing to pay

Jesus,

So

home

He

told Peter to

"Lest

we

it,

time was half a shekel, and

didn't ha've that

much money.

do a very unusual thing.

should offend them,"

He

said,

"go ...

to the

THE BIBLE STORY sea

and

promised that the

cast." Jesus

would have

money

a piece of

in

its

first fish

mouth.

Off Peter went with his line and hook. fished all his

life

was the

this

he would catch

Though he had

strangest fishing trip he

had

ever been on.

Arriving far

beach he baited the hook and threw

at the

from the shore

there

was

as

and splashing about "This must be it

would be the

in.

Soon he could

He

pulled on

see a fish

it,

jumping

in the water. it!"

first

Grabbing the

it

as

he could. Then he waited. Presently

a sharp tug. His line tightened.

then carefully hauled

it

he said to himself. "The Master said

one."

fish in

both hands, he forced

open. Inside was one shekel, exactly the

pay the tax for both Jesus and himself!

its

mouth

amount needed

to

PART

STORY

TWO

11

Seventy Times Seven

DOES Do

your brother, or your

you

sister,

you a

tease

lot?

sometimes that you cannot take any

feel

more?

What would

Jesus

do

if

He

were in your place?

Let's ask the Prince of teachers

and

see

Listen: "If your brother sins, rebuke him, forgive day,

him; and

and turns

to

if

he

sins against

what

and

if

He

says.

he repents,

you seven times in the

you seven times, and

says,

'I

repent,'

you

must forgive him." Seven times! you

But no.

When

say.

Peter

What

came

a lot of times!

to Jesus

and asked how many

times he should forgive his brother, and whether seven times

was the

limit, Jesus said

he was to go on forgiving him "until

seventy times seven."

How many Why, you Of

times

say,

I

is

that?

Four hundred and ninety!

couldn't keep count of

course you couldn't!

And

Jesus

knew

all

those times.

that perfectly well

91

THE BIBLE STORY when He

He

times

said

it.

He

number

doesn't keep account of the

of

forgives us.

Four hundred and ninety times would mean once a day

more than

for

Have you If not,

ever tried forgiving anybody that

and you

get a notebook all

a year!

are feeUng angry with

and pencil and

the things this

that precious

list.

Then

word every time you

see.

somebody

Even

tell

times?

right

now,

put

down

upset you. Next,

mark

beside

that person you forgive

or thirty check

will probably be your best friend.

Try

marks it

and

the meanest people can't resist pure love like that.

Forgiving

which

to

put a check

him when he annoys you again. By the time you have made twenty that

somebody

start writing. First,

somebody has done

write "forgiven" across the

many

Jesus

is

part of God's better way, the

came from heaven

to reveal to us.

way

of love,

SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN

— hundred times, four hundred and ninety times— Forgiving someone over and over again

tion, love at its best

heart with

We if

we do

He

all its

times, a

fifty is

and grandest, love reaching out

love in acto another

healing, v^^inning power.

can never hope to belong to Christ's kingdom of love not

know how

couldn't afford to

somebody

in

to forgive people

let

no time

us

We'd

in.

who do

us wrong.

be having trouble with

at all.

we pray every time we say the Lord's Prayer. But how do we forgive.? Just a httle bit.'^ Just once now and then.? Just when we feel in the right mood.? We wouldn't want God to forgive us like that. "Forgive us ... as

No, giving

No

Jesus

wants us

come

spirit will

we

forgive,"

His love that a

to be so full of

naturally.

We

will never take offense.

matter what anybody says or does to us,

loving

him

just the

So important

is

we

will

we have this forgiving spirit in that if we take a gift to church

that

it

remember

and, on getting there,

some reason or

other,

we

that a brother

is

upset with

are to forget the gift

find the brother. "First be reconciled to your brother,

come and

To

offer

your

gift,"

He

money.

He would

and

and then

said.

Jesus, a loving, forgiving spirit

tant than

go on

same.

our hearts that Jesus said

us for

for-

far rather

an old enemy than give a big donation

much more imporwe make peace with

is

to a

church building

fund.

So we had there

better start forgiving right away.

Think!

Is

someone you should forgive today?

93

PART

STORY

TWO

12

Mrs. Zebedee's Mistake

THE

who

BIBLE

a

tells

good deal about the twelve

followed Jesus, but

homes and

We know

it

doesn't say

much

disciples

about their

families.

that Peter

was married,

for his "wife's

mother"

once had a fever and Jesus healed her.

But

that's

about

all,

except for Mrs. Zebedee, the mother

of James and John. She at least got her

And

of the others did.

name

in print,

if

none

that because of a dreadful mistake

she made.

Like

all

mothers she was eager to

She wanted the

best for her

nothing wrong about

When

see her children succeed.

two precious

boys,

and there was

that.

she heard that James

and John were going about

with the great Teacher of Galilee she was very glad, for she

was sure

He was

As thousands 94

a

good

man and would

flocked to

Him, and

it

be a help to them.

seemed certain that

MRS. ZEBEDEE'S MISTAKE

He would become to her.

word

how

king of

Israel

Next time she found

in

His ear about her

some day, a bright idea came

Jesus alone she sons.

Perhaps

would whisper

He

a

hadn't noticed

very suitable they were to hold high positions in His

coming kingdom. They were qualified than the others,

really outstanding,

He

and

should

know

much

better

about

it

in

good time.

Her chance came

at last.

Finding Jesus alone she went up

and John, looking

a bit sheepish

Kneeling, she told Jesus

to

Him, with James

no doubt, not

how much

she thought of

and His noble work, and how glad she was that her two dear boys to be

hoped they were giving

among His

Him

all

far behind.

He had

Him

chosen

closest followers.

She

the help they should and,

THE BIBLE STORY well, there

was

one thing she would

just

like to

"What do you want?" asked Jesus kindly. Looking around to make sure no one was

mention.

listening, she

my two sons may sit, on Thy right hand, and the other on the left, in Thy kingdom." whispered, eagerly, "Grant that these

the one

Jesus did not scold her. Perhaps

there

was sadness

His

in

who

Turning

believed in

to

smiled at her, but

could see she did not in

kingdom nor what

the least understand His cost those

He

smile.

He

was going

it

it.

James and John,

He

asked them whether they

thought they could share His future, whatever

"Oh,

yes," they said eagerly.

"You

shall," said Jesus,

on

My

for

whom

A

not

left, is it is

little

How, we

My

don't

sit it

might

be.

are able."

on

My

right hand,

shall be

and

given to them

Father."

like this!

know, but the

best-kept secrets

out.

ten were angry.

do a thing

"but to

it

the whole story reached the ears of the

have a way of getting

The

"We

to give, but

prepared of

later

other disciples.

Mine

to

To

think that Mrs. Zebedee would

they muttered to each other. Pushing

own children, that's what it was! Trying to cut the rest out! And they had worked just as hard, or harder, to set up her

the Master's kingdom. Jesus

den

knew what was going

their ugly thoughts

called

them

Him

and

from

on.

They

Him

if

them

that

couldn't have hid-

they had tried. So

was time they understood what kind of kingdom they were working for.

96

to

told

it

He all

MRS. ZEBEDEE'S MISTAKE In worldly kingdoms, over people, with big

men

He

reminded them,

bossing

love alone, ruled.

chief offices

Love was the key

were for those

who

it

men and demanding

little

obedience: but this was not His way. In His

and

rulers lord

to

kingdom

love,

promotion and the

served most

humbly and un-

selfishly.

"Whosoever minister," let

He

will be great

said;

him be your

among

"and whosoever

servant: even as the

you,

will be

Son

of

him be your chief among you, man came not to let

be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His for

this

life

a

ransom

many."

Though many have forgotten what He said that day, is still the way His kingdom is run— and will be, through

all eternity.

PART

STORY

TWO

13

Last Things Last

Arriving

/^ -^

the village of Bethany one day, Jesus

knocked on the door of

-^

vigorous It

in

a

humble home.

"Come in and welcome!" woman who opened the door.

said the bright-eyed,

was Martha, and she was proud and glad that the famous

Teacher of Galilee had come

"Mary!"

I

and

eat.

can hear her calling excitedly. "Mary!

It's

to her

house to

rest

the Master. Hurry! Get the table laid! Fix the hre! Get that

pot of beans boiling!"

At once

the whole place

buzzing about

at

was

like a beehive,

top speed doing

all

with Martha

the things she thought

should be done with such an important

visitor in the house.

By and by a mixture of familiar sounds came from kitchen. The clattering of pots and pans, the clink of dishes,

the the

chop-chop-chop of a knife on wood, told that Martha was

doing her umiost to give the Master the best meal she could.

Then 98

after a

long

moment

of silence,

Martha shouted,

LAST THISGS LAST "Mary! Where soup

I

footsteps followed,

Mary

all

sitting

Turning care that

need you

to

sdr the

all

the

way from

the k::::.Tr.

to

my

things'" cried Martha,

on the

floor

as

has

left

-':rh:

listening to Jesus.

her guest she said. ra:h-j:

sister

she rsuzh:

me

to

ser-.c

You

:-::::';..

"D:.-:':

ai-nc:

Tell her

to

me!"

help

Jesus

Martha." about

looked

He

many

said

I

at

her.

smilmg gently

tenderly.

things:

the good part

all

I

the living room.

"Well, of of

Mary!

Mary!"

Quick to

are you:

N'.-hich

"You

one thing

is

shall not be

Martha was c

:::z.

u:ual.

are worried r.ccdi.:!,

"Martha.

and trcuz^-i

Mary

has chiser.

taken from her."

don't think this me:ans that

that

as

Jesus

did not appreciate

Bv no means. Eu: He

s..iv,-

:ha:

THE BIBLE STORY Martha needed

You

to

see, Jesus

learn

very important spiritual

a

was there

one brief hour. Martha saw in

for

one

for just

this a

little

lesson.

day; perhaps

chance to cook and

make her house all spick and span for their honored Guest, but Mary saw in it her one great opportunity to talk with the to

He

Prince of teachers. Here

For

she

all

knew

then,

would never happen

it

There would always be the house

and food

to cook,

was

And

ask

be

here.

again.

to clean, dishes to

wash,

but this day, this wonderful day, Jesus

there were so

many

questions she wanted to

Him about His teachings and His kingdom. There wouldn't time to ask them all, but while He was here she would

make

have chosen to

mix

moment that Mary

the most of every precious

This was the "good part" sit

on a kitchen

stool

in

Most

much

Him

and prepare sit

She could

vegetables, or at Jesus' feet

while she could.

of us need to

like

His presence.

chose.

a cheese omelet, but she chose instead to

and learn of

so

own home.

was, right in her

make Mary's

Martha, rushing about

ing and banging our

way through

choice today.

We

are

at a terrible speed, clatter-

too busy to pray, too

life,

busy to read the Bible, too busy to go to church.

Of

course

we

mustn't shirk our part of the humble, every-

day

duties.

things

first

But

let

and

us try to put

last

things

last,

first

shall

we.''

And body

if

we

will take

couldn't.

choose the good part, noit

away from

us.

They

Not if we want it badly enough.

PART

III

Stories of the Prince of Storytellers

(Matthew 44;

Luke

13:1-50;

18:23-35;

21:28-22:14;

Mark

12:1-

8:4-15; 10:25-37; 14:16-15:32; 18:9-14; 20:9-19)

^yjp-

i'Uei^

^1

PART THREE

STORY

1

Seeds of Love

THE PRINCE tellers.

in

Some

of teachers

was

also the Prince of story-

of His most precious lessons were given

true-to-life

stories,

which

are

sometimes

called

parables.

He was talking to a great crowd of people shores of Galilee, He tried to make them see why they listen carefully to what He was saying. He had come

One on the should to

day, as

show them

a

new way

or try to understand,

As He

it

of

life,

but

if

they would not

listen,

wouldn't do them any good.

spoke, in full view of everyone, a sower

about his lonely task in a nearby

field.

was going

This gave Jesus the

idea for a story.

"A

sower went forth to sow,"

sowed, some seeds

fell

by the way

and devoured them up: some

fell

He side,

said;

"and when he

and the fowls came

upon stony

places

and when the sun was up, they were scorched.

some

fell

among

thorns;

.

.

.

.

.

.

;

And

and the thorns sprung up, and 103

--

i..

i.r.

'

:r.r:

I

ni

.

:r:

:.i.

THE BIBLE STORY "The bridegroom's coming! Everybody go to meet him!" The girls stirred and awoke. They rubbed their eyes. The procession was indeed coming down the street. They jumped to their feet, straightening their dresses

in place.

Then

and patting

their hair

they remembered their lamps. All were out,

and the wicks were thick with carbon. Quickly the gan

girls be-

them, for they couldn't join the procession without

to trim

their lamps.

Then no

five of

them made

a terrible discovery.

They had

oil.

"Lend us some

!

of yours " they begged the others.

"Sorry," said the others; "but

we

don't have a drop to

spare."

"But what the five

shall

who had no

we

do.f*

We'll miss the wedding!" cried

oil.

"Better go and buy some," said the others.

.•rii

--M^

TEN SLEEPY GIRLS "What? At

this

time of night?"

"There might be a

store open.

You

could try."

Frantically the five dashed off into the darkness.

that

While they were gone "the bridegroom came; and they were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the

door was shut."

Then gone

ofl

the saddest thing happened.

looking for

But they were too

oil

late.

within, "I don't

it.

know

five girls

who had

came back, breathless with running. They had missed both the procession

and the wedding. They banged on the door, But nobody opened

The

crying, "Let us in, let us in!"

The bridegroom merely

called

from

you."

The lesson here is that we must always be ready know return. "Watch therefore," He said, "for you the day nor the hour when the Son of man comes."

for

His

neither

"

THE BIBLE STORY It

He was Perhaps He

could well be that, as the Prince of prophets,

down

looking

the long, long years to our time.

was thinking of you and me, knowing how easy it is for us to give up hope in His coming and get careless and sleepy and

our lamps go out.

let

"Watch!" He the signs of

My

Someday

the

cry

bridegroom cometh " the wonderful

coming

for

return!'*

!

try,

"Keep awake! Look out

says to us.

will

From

news

be

heard

city to city,

again,

"Behold,

from country

will spread like wildfire,

the

to coun-

"Jesus

is

!

Some Some

will be ready to will

go

to

meet Him; some will

not.

heaven with Him, and some will be

left out.

In which group will you

Let us till

He

all

comes.

be.^

be ready with our lamps trimmed and burning

PART FOUR

STORY

9

Tale of the Talents

He would KNOWING and going away that

soon be leaving His

dis-

for a long, long time, Jesus

ciples

them

tried to give

all

the good advice

He

could so

would know what to do while He was gone. That is why He told them the story of the ten sleepy girls. He wanted them to be ready always for His return. But just being ready was not enough. They must make the most

that they

of their

serving

lives,

every chance to

To make

tell

God

faithfully every

day and using

others of His love.

this plain, Jesus told

another story. This was

who went on a long trip into a far country. Before leaving, this man called three of his servants and handed each of them a certain amount of money "to every man ac-

about a merchant

—

cording to his several ability" to use

To

one he gave

to the third, best,

one

he went on

five talents, to

talent.

Then,

it.

another two

after

talents,

and

urging each to do his

his journey.

183

The man with buying and

the five talents started to

selling until

The man

v^^ith

didn't earn quite so

man

two

to

was away on a

The talents

first

made

became

and took

why

four.

life easy.

He

told his

vacation.

money he had

came and

and earned

a one-hundred-per-

he should work while the

the merchant returned

account for the

talents ten.

with the one talent merely dug a hole in

friends that he didn't see

By and by

so he

talents

the ground, buried his talent,

boss

five

at once,

the tw^o talents did the same, only he

much. Even

cent gain, so that his

But the

he had made his

work

five

told

how

and

called his servants

entrusted to them.

he had traded with the

five

more.

"Well done, good and

faithful servant!" said his master.

"You have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much." Then the second servant told what he had done. "Master," he said, "you gave

two more."

me two

talents;

here are

"Well done, good and

"You have been

faithful over a little ;

Lastly the one-talent sort of fellow. "Master,"

of I

man who

faithful servant!" said the master.

makes

just

I v^^ill set

you over much."

He was

man came

to report.

he

knew you were

said, "I

Take

it is.

it.

the kind

men's work, so

profit out of other

buried your old talent. Here

a surly

You can have

it

back."

At

merchant was very

this the !

lazy servant " he said. in the

bank

so

to the

didn't

you

at

"You wicked and least put my money

could have gained interest on

added, "Take the talent from

Then he it

I

"Why

upset.

man

with the ten

talents.

And

throw

it-f^"

him and

give

this worthless

servant outside in the dark."

There story

is

is

a lesson here for all of us.

Jesus.

He

has gone

each of His disciples abiUty.

He

Some have

expects

all to

He

away

in this

And

to a far country.

to

has given talents, according to his

fiwe talents,

use

The merchant

them

some two, some only

the best they

one. But

know how.

THE BIBLE STORY He

Someday, when

we have done with Oh, but you

Maybe is

not.

He

say,

good

the

all

power

isn't

is

going to ask us what

He has given me any money.

gifts

never gave

But money

a talent, with the

He

returns,

the only talent.

to talk

and

sing.

us.

Your

voice

Your brain

is

a

talent,

with the power to think and plan. Your hands are a

talent,

with the power to write, to play music, to do good to

the needy.

moment

Stop a

right

Jesus

wants you

to use

them

Perhaps you are saying, "But All right. Just don't bury

watch

it

It's

how ful

count your

you have more than

will probably find that

And

now and

it.

Make

all to

five,

His

maybe

ten.

glory.

I've only got

the most of

You

talents.

it.

one

Use

talent." it,

and

grow! not the

we

faithful

in that

number

of talents

we have

that matters, but

are in using them. Jesus wants us to be "faith-

which

is

least"

we do for Him. And when the day of

—in

the few things, the

littlest

things,

reckoning comes,

will be to hear Jesus say to you,

how happy you

"Well done, good and

faith-

ful servant!"

That "Well done!" will be

said

with a smile and a handshake,

reward enough for anything any of us ever did for Him.

0SkC

/f/%

PART FOUR

STORY

10

Passport to Heaven

A FTER

r\ -^

telling

His

His return and,

-^

on the watch

disciples to be ever

in the

of all the talents

meantime,

He had

of glory as

King

when He

of kings

will

the most

given them, Jesus drew

back the curtain of the future once more and the wonderful scene

make

to

for

sit

at last

and Lord of

let

them glimpse

upon His throne

lords.

man comes in His glory," He said, "and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He

"When

the

Son

of

them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats: and He will place the sheep at His will separate

right hand, but the goats at the left."

As

the disciples pictured this

kled with gladness. king!

How

kingdom

How

happy day,

they wanted their Master to be a

they longed to see His

of love

have a part in

it

come

true

their eyes spar-

!

How

dream

of a

worldwide

they hoped that they might

some day! 187

PASSPORT TO HEAVEN But what was

who were

the sheep and separate

the goats?

"Then

'Come,

And how would

Jesus

And

Jesus

O

King

the

say to those at his right hand,

will

My

blessed of

rest of the story.

Father, inherit the

kingdom prepared

you from the foundation of the world: for

for

Me

and you gave I

were

them?

Eagerly they waited for the said,

Who

about sheep and goats?

this

was

a stranger

you clothed Me,

and you came

I

food,

I

was

thirsty

sick

and you

was hungry

and you gave

and you welcomed Me, was

I

visited

I

Me

drink,

was naked and

Me,

I

was

in prison

to Me.'

"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see Thee hungry and feed Thee, or thirsty and give Thee drink? And when did we see Thee a stranger and welcome Thee, or naked and clothe Thee? And when did we see Thee sick or in prison

"And as

did

it

to

King

the

you did

to

it

and

visit

will

Thee?'

answer them. Truly,

one of the

least of these

I

My

say unto you,

brethren, you

Me."

They stand at His men and women, the boys and girls,

These are the sheep.

Christ's sheep.

right hand.

They

who show

kindness to others, whose hearts are

love

are the

and sympathy

for the least of

with

filled

His brethren. They inherit

His kingdom.

And

the goats?

They

are the

little,

selfish

who

people

never give a thought to other people's needs and sufferings.

Me

To them

Jesus will say, "I

no food,

was

I

thirsty,

was hungry, and you gave

and you gave

Me

no drink.

I

was

189

^—

PAINTINC BY PALL RKMMEY

"Then

the

King

hand, 'Come,

O

©

19S6, BY REVIEW AND HERALD

will say to those at His right My Father, inherit

blessed of

kingdom prepared for you.' " And with joy the faithful will enter the city of God.

the

THE BIBLE STORY a stranger,

and you did not welcome Me, naked, and you did

not clothe Me, sick and in prison, and you did not

They

will answer, "Lord,

or thirsty or a stranger or

when

naked or

did

we

visit

Me."

Thee hungry

see

sick or in prison,

and did

not minister to Thee?"

And He did

it

will

answer them, "Truly,

not to one of the

For these there

least of these,

will be

I

say to you, as you

you did

not for Me."

it

no kingdom, no heaven, no

eternal

happiness. Instead they will share the punishment of the devil

and

his angels. Jesus said so Himself.

So

it

love that

is

separates those

who

makes the

are saved

love that decides whether

we

difference.

It

from those who

shall be

among

is

are

love that lost.

It is

the sheep or the

goats in the day of judgment.

Love our hearts

is

—

the passport to heaven. If if

we do

not show

it

we do

not have

it

in

by gracious words and kindly

PASSPORT TO HEAVEN kingdom of God. For His kingdom is a kingdom of love. It is made up of a people who love one another. And its King is the King of love. And if love is so very important, maybe we should be deeds,

we

shall never enter the

looking around to see whether there to be loved

by

is

anyone

who

needs

us.

Think a moment. Is there somebody you know who is hungry, somebody whom you could feed.'' Maybe some poor little boy at school would be glad for a part of your lunch some day. Or a drink out of your nice new vacuum bottle.

And what who

about that

new

girl in

your

class,

or the one

come to live next door.? Are you being as friendly as you should.? Have you said, "Welcome!" and meant it.? Maybe there's somebody you know who doesn't have money enough to buy clothes to keep himself warm. Could has just

you share some of

yours.?

!

How to see

for

Do

them?

Do

you take them flowers, or say a

you ever go little

prayer

you ever go

to see

them?

Do him

about the sick people around you?

Do

you have a friend in prison?

him a note of sympathy? Remember that whatever you do like or write

filled

heart

And He

is

this out of a love-

reckoned by Jesus to have been done for Him.

will

never forget the kindness.

Not through

all

eternity.

Every time

He

meets you in His kingdom

He

will say,

"Thank you for being so kind to Me." And you will say, "Lord, when was I kind to You?" And He will smile and say, "When you shared your lunch with Tommy, when you cried with Susan, and when you visited your lonely old grandma."

And

you will

say,

"But

Jesus, I

didn't think that

was

helping You!"

"But

it

was,"

of the least of these

He

My

will say.

"Inasmuch

children, you

as

you loved one

were loving Me."

How glad we all shall be for every deed of love we ever did

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