“…Jesus asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves WHO WOULD BE THE GREATEST. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “IF ANYONE DESIRES TO BE FIRST, HE SHALL BE LAST OF ALL AND SERVANT OF ALL.” Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever 1receives one of these little children in My name RECEIVES ME; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but HIM WHO SENT ME.” (Mark 9:33-37) 1dechomai: to take hold of, take up.
Remember, the beginning of this chapter, Peter, James and John saw Jesus supernaturally transfigured. Then they herd the voice of the Father saying “This is My beloved Son. HEAR HIM!” (Mark 9:7) Obviously, they did not fully understand what the Son of God really was about… Jesus explained to them that just as this “little child” was about TRUST, HUMILITY, HONESTY AND PURITY. Emphasizing to His disciples that they needed to “take hold of and take up” these child like qualities to be what Jesus expected them to be. Then they would receive the favor of the Father.
JESUS REMINDS US, THE FIRST SHALL BE LAST…
-Bill Stockham