‘And he took a little child and set him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms he said to them, “Whoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” '
Some argue that the connection between this verse and the last is obscure. But it is not really so. Jesus was adept at dealing with questions by unusual methods to bring home the truth. He had made His statement about what true greatness consisted of and now he looked around for a way of illustrating it. A few words about greatness could pass by unnoticed but an apt illustration would speak volumes.
Not one of the disciples who had been speaking of greatness had thought in terms of thereby helping little children. Indeed when at another time certain mothers sought to bring their children to Jesus the disciples would try to turn them away. They did not have the heart of a shepherd. They thought that Jesus had more important things to deal with! All their thoughts were on their own importance. But Jesus here took a little child who was standing by, probably almost unnoticed by the disciples, and receiving him in His arms He quietly said, ‘look, true greatness consists in things like looking after little children like this, and guiding them aright'. For each little child represents an opportunity to serve Jesus. To receive them is to receive Jesus. And not one of the disciples would have argued about the importance of properly receiving Jesus.
The Old Testament constantly laid stress on the importance of teaching little children. This was the duty of every Israelite and Jew. (Compare Exodus 12:26-27; Exodus 13:8; Exodus 13:14; Deuteronomy 6:7; Deuteronomy 6:20-25; Deuteronomy 11:19; Deuteronomy 32:7) and it was considered so important that it immediately followed the ‘first great commandment', the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:5-6). But so often it got overlooked because men were too busy.
So Jesus did not argue about who would be the greatest. Rather He sought to stress that what mattered was men's attitude of heart. He sought to stress what was truly great. Those who were truly great heeded God's commands and ensured that little children were taught. They cast out evil spirits with no thought of preferment (Mark 9:38). They gave cups of cold water to those who followed the Messiah (Mark 9:41). So He took up a little child and spoke about him. Many would consider a little child unimportant in the order of things, said Jesus, but if someone receives that child in the name of Christ, He is receiving Christ, and not only is he receiving Christ but he is also receiving the One Who sent Him. He is doing a great thing. He is dealing with what is really important without regard for his own position or how men see him. That is the true measure of greatness. It is such a man who is truly great.
The principle would appear to be twofold. Firstly that what seems unimportant to men is extremely important to God, especially the care of believing children for whom He has special concern (Mark 9:42). Every child offers an opportunity of receiving Christ and receiving God, because they offer an opportunity of humble service in His name. Furthermore the right teaching of these little children will be the safeguard of the future. So the truly great will not be too important to receive them and give them time. And secondly that the smallest thing done for Christ and for love of Him is extremely important (see Mark 9:41, and compare Mark 12:41-44), while larger things, if not genuinely done for Him, lose their importance. For the truth is that what men consider important, and see as contributing to their own importance, is often not very important at all in the final scheme of things. Indeed those who seek importance often merely demonstrate that they are unimportant. It is not just a question of getting children to ‘make a decision'. What matters is carefully bringing them up to know the truth. Very often this is left to mothers. How important mothers are in the scheme of things (1 Timothy 2:15). We almost take it for granted, but this is the very foundation of the Kingly Rule of God.
The idea that lies behind Mark 9:37 is the Jewish shaliach (agent, representative). A man's agent is as himself. Thus little children, especially those of godly parents, are seen to be God's agents and as such are His representatives and present real opportunity for serving Him.
‘He took a little child.' Probably some relative of Peter's, who knew them all and would possibly be hanging around wanting to be with the men, but of whom little notice was being taken. ‘Taking him in his arms.' A personal touch, found only in Mark, suggesting an eyewitness who remembered exactly what happened, and bringing out that Jesus had time for all.
‘Whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him Who sent Me.' Here we see the claim of His special status, that He was sent by the Father, an idea common in John, and distinctly stated here (compare Mark 12:6 see also Matthew 15:24; Luke 4:18; Luke 4:43; John 3:17; John 4:34; John 5:23; John 5:30; John 5:36; John 5:38; John 6:29; John 6:38-44; John 6:57 and often). And that to receive Him was to receive the Father, a further stress on His unique status.