And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
After the disciples disputed among themselves over which of them should be accounted greatest, Jesus sat with the twelve and set a child in the midst of them and took him in his arms as a living lesson for all His followers to the close of time. True greatness in God's kingdom is not gained by seeking rank and leadership from selfish motives, but belongs to those who are humble and small in their own eyes, last of all and servant of all, giving up ambition for supremacy and learning to serve rather than exalt themselves. His followers are to become like little children before God — humble and dependent, teachable and willing to learn, trusting and obeying in Christ's strength. To receive such a child in Christ's name is to receive Christ Himself, and to receive Christ is to receive the Father who sent Him, so that mercy and kindness shown even to a little child are shown to Christ, while to neglect a little child is to neglect Christ.
Setting and Object Lesson
On the way the disciples had fallen into a dispute over which of them should be accounted the greatest, John and his brethren taking part, speaking words they did not intend Jesus to hear but which He read in their hearts. When a quiet opportunity came He sat down with the twelve to counsel and instruct them about their rivalry. He answered their contention for rank by calling them to humility and service rather than supremacy and self-exaltation.
While He taught them He took a child and set him in the midst of the disciples as a living illustration of the temper they lacked. Then He took the child in His arms and held him there before them as He continued His instruction. The action itself was presented as a beautiful lesson in humility.
That lesson was given not for that little listening group alone but for all His followers to the close of time.
Humility and Receiving Christ
The child held in the midst illustrates the humility required for greatness in God's kingdom, for greatness is not gained by seeking rank and honor and leadership from selfish motives, but belongs to those who are humble and serve others. Those who would be great must be small in their own eyes, last of all and servant of all, giving up ambition for supremacy and learning to serve rather than to exalt themselves. Those who possess the spirit of Christ will have no ambition to occupy a position above their brethren, but will set aside rivalry and superiority and contention for greatness.
His followers are to become like children before God — humble and dependent, teachable and willing to learn. That childlikeness is a trusting and obeying in Christ's strength, learned as self-weakness and Christ's power are more deeply recognized.
To receive such a child in Christ's name, or to receive one another in Christ's name, is to receive Christ Himself, and to receive Christ is to receive the Father who sent Him. Rivalry is therefore set aside in humble love that receives others as Christ is received.
Mercy and kindness, courtesy and love shown even to a little child are shown to Christ, while to overlook the life-duties lying directly in the pathway and to neglect a little child is to neglect Christ. Children are therefore to be treated with kindness and care and help rather than severity, since they are open to the Spirit's influence.
John felt the force of this lesson and profited by it. Peter also later understood it more deeply as he recognized his own weakness and Christ's power.
After the disciples disputed among themselves over which of them should be accounted greatest, Jesus sat with the twelve and set a child in the midst of them and took him in his arms as a living lesson for all His followers to the close of time. True greatness in God's kingdom is not gained by seeking rank and leadership from selfish motives, but belongs to those who are humble and small in their own eyes, last of all and servant of all, giving up ambition for supremacy and learning to serve rather than exalt themselves. His followers are to become like little children before God — humble and dependent, teachable and willing to learn, trusting and obeying in Christ's strength. To receive such a child in Christ's name is to receive Christ Himself, and to receive Christ is to receive the Father who sent Him, so that mercy and kindness shown even to a little child are shown to Christ, while to neglect a little child is to neglect Christ.
Setting and Object Lesson
On the way the disciples had fallen into a dispute over which of them should be accounted the greatest, John and his brethren taking part, speaking words they did not intend Jesus to hear but which He read in their hearts. When a quiet opportunity came He sat down with the twelve to counsel and instruct them about their rivalry. He answered their contention for rank by calling them to humility and service rather than supremacy and self-exaltation.
While He taught them He took a child and set him in the midst of the disciples as a living illustration of the temper they lacked. Then He took the child in His arms and held him there before them as He continued His instruction. The action itself was presented as a beautiful lesson in humility.
That lesson was given not for that little listening group alone but for all His followers to the close of time.
Humility and Receiving Christ
The child held in the midst illustrates the humility required for greatness in God's kingdom, for greatness is not gained by seeking rank and honor and leadership from selfish motives, but belongs to those who are humble and serve others. Those who would be great must be small in their own eyes, last of all and servant of all, giving up ambition for supremacy and learning to serve rather than to exalt themselves. Those who possess the spirit of Christ will have no ambition to occupy a position above their brethren, but will set aside rivalry and superiority and contention for greatness.
His followers are to become like children before God — humble and dependent, teachable and willing to learn. That childlikeness is a trusting and obeying in Christ's strength, learned as self-weakness and Christ's power are more deeply recognized.
To receive such a child in Christ's name, or to receive one another in Christ's name, is to receive Christ Himself, and to receive Christ is to receive the Father who sent Him. Rivalry is therefore set aside in humble love that receives others as Christ is received.
Mercy and kindness, courtesy and love shown even to a little child are shown to Christ, while to overlook the life-duties lying directly in the pathway and to neglect a little child is to neglect Christ. Children are therefore to be treated with kindness and care and help rather than severity, since they are open to the Spirit's influence.
John felt the force of this lesson and profited by it. Peter also later understood it more deeply as he recognized his own weakness and Christ's power.