Hands Worthy of Trust

THAT paedagogy is the training (ἀγωγή /guiding-raising) of children, is clear from the word itself. It remains for us to consider the children whom scripture points to; then to give the paedagogue charge of them. We are the children. In many ways scripture celebrates us, and describes us in manifold figures of speech, giving variety to the simplicity of the faith by diverse names. Accordingly, in the Gospel, “the Lord, standing on the shore, says to the disciples” - they happened to be fishing - “and called aloud, Children, have ye any meat?” - addressing those that were already in the position of disciples as children.

“And they brought to Him,” it is said, “children, that He might put His hands on them and bless them; and when His disciples hindered them, Jesus said, ‘Suffer the children, and forbid them not to come to Me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ ” What the expression means the Lord Himself shall declare, saying, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven;” not in that place speaking figuratively of regeneration, but setting before us, for our imitation, the simplicity that is in children.

… The Spirit calls the Lord Himself a child, thus prophesying by Esaias: “Lo, to us a child has been born, to us a son has been given, on whose own shoulder the government shall be; and His name has been called the Angel of great Counsel.” Who, then, is this infant child? He according to whose image we are made little children.

By the same prophet is declared His greatness: “Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace; that He might fulfil His discipline: and of His peace there shall be no end.” O the great God! O the perfect child! The Son in the Father, and the Father in the Son. And how shall not the discipline of this child be perfect, which extends to all, leading as a schoolmaster (paedagogue) us as children who are His little ones? He has stretched forth to us those hands of His that are conspicuously worthy of trust. To this child additional testimony is borne by John, “the greatest prophet among those born of women”: “Behold the Lamb of God!” For since scripture calls the infant children lambs, it has also called Him - God the Word - who became man for our sakes, and who wished in all points to be made like to us” - “the Lamb of God” - Him, namely, that is the Son of God, the child of the Father.

~ from Clement of Alexandria, Paedagogus