(33) And he came to Capernaum; and being in the house, he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? (34) But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves who should be the greatest. (35) And he sat down and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. (36) 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, (37) Whosoever shall receive one of such children, in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me
Do not overlook in this passage, the GODHEAD of CHRIST. He knew their hearts. And though he asked them of the cause of their dispute, yet this was not for his information, but for their reproof. And I pray the Reader to observe, the very engaging method the LORD adopted to cure his disciples of all that mistaken pride he discovered in them. What a beautiful emblem of CHRIST's kingdom is represented in the humbleness, and docility of a little child! David speaks of the state of his soul, under the consciousness of his nothingness, and abstraction from the vanity and pride of life, as a weaned child. Psalms 131:2. To a child of GOD, who hath really, and truly known and tasted the preciousness of JESUS; the breasts of the mother would no longer afford sweet milk; but the bitterness of wormwood and gall is put upon them.