How can we apply "receives this child" in our daily interactions? Setting the Scene Luke 9:48: “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives the One who sent Me. For whoever is least among all of you, he is the greatest.” Jesus spoke these words after the disciples argued about who was greatest. He placed a small child beside Him and taught that true greatness looks like humble, active welcome of the least. What Does “Receives This Child” Mean? • “Receives” (Greek: dechomai) means to welcome, accept, take by the hand, or show hospitality. • “In My name” signals doing so as an act of allegiance to Jesus, reflecting His character and authority. • The promise: welcoming a child equals welcoming Christ and, by extension, the Father (cf. Mark 9:37). Why Children? • In first-century culture, children had no social clout, wealth, or legal standing. • They symbolize the powerless, overlooked, and dependent—those who cannot repay us (cf. Matthew 25:40). • By highlighting children, Jesus flips worldly status upside down: greatness is measured by humble service, not personal glory. Practical Ways to Receive the Child Today • Greet children at church by name, kneeling to their eye level, showing they matter to the congregation. • Volunteer in children’s ministry, nursery, or VBS; prepare lessons as seriously as adult studies. • Support parents of young children—offer babysitting, meals, or an understanding ear (Galatians 6:2). • Guard children’s safety: advocate for strong protection policies, background checks, and vigilant care (Proverbs 31:8). • Sponsor or foster children in need; partner with orphan care ministries, embodying James 1:27. • Welcome children in worship rather than viewing them as distractions; model attentiveness and patience (Psalm 8:2). • Speak life-giving words—affirm their worth as image-bearers (Genesis 1:27) and heirs of God’s promises (Acts 2:39). • Include children in acts of service—visiting shut-ins, assembling care packages—teaching them kingdom values by example. Receiving the Least in Other Contexts Jesus’ principle extends beyond literal children to anyone society deems “least”: • The elderly, the disabled, the immigrant, the homeless (Leviticus 19:32; Deuteronomy 10:18-19). • The socially awkward, the emotionally wounded, the chronically ill (Romans 15:1-2). Practically, we: • Initiate conversation with those who rarely get approached. • Share meals with people who cannot reciprocate. • Use our resources and influence to elevate the marginalized, not ourselves. A Gospel Reflection Receiving the child mirrors Christ’s own condescension: He “emptied Himself” and “took the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). When we stoop to welcome the least, we reenact the gospel—and experience the presence of the Son and the Father. Verses to Keep in View • Matthew 18:5; Mark 10:14-16 — Jesus blesses children, sets them forth as kingdom examples. • Proverbs 14:31 — “Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker.” Receiving the vulnerable honors God. • 1 John 4:20 — Love for God is tested by love for visible neighbors. • Hebrews 13:2 — Hospitality sometimes entertains angels unawares. Embracing “this child” each day—at home, church, school, work—puts greatness within reach, because it puts Jesus at the center of every interaction. |
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