Let us mark what a gracious word of consolation this passage contains for all true believers. The Lord Jesus knew well the hearts of His disciples. He knew how ready they were to be filled with fears of every description,–fears because of the fewness of their number,–fears because of the multitude of their enemies,–fears because of the many difficulties in their way,–fears because of their sense of weakness and unworthiness. He answers these many fears with a single golden sentence,–“Fear not, little flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Believers are a “little flock.” They always have been, ever since the world began. Professing servants of God have sometimes been very many. Baptized people at the present day are a great company. But true Christians are very few. It is foolish to be surprised at this. It is vain to expect it will be otherwise until the Lord comes again. “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7:14)