1/ At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2/ He called a child over, placed it in their midst,
3/ and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
4/ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5/ And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
Become like children: the child is held up as a model for the disciples not because of any supposed innocence of children but because of their complete dependence on, and trust in, their parents. So must the disciples be, in respect to God.
Christ spoke many words of his sufferings, but only one of his glory; yet the disciples fasten upon that, and overlook the others. Many love to hear and speak of privileges and glory, who are willing to pass by the thoughts of work and trouble.
Our Lord set a little child before them, solemnly assuring them, that unless they were converted and made like little children, they could not enter his kingdom. Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their parents.
It is true that they soon begin to show other dispositions, and other ideas are taught them at an early age; but these are marks of childhood, and render them proper emblems of the lowly minds of true Christians. Surely we need to be daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least of all. Let us daily study this subject, and examine our own spirits.
5/ Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,
6/ Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
7/ Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance,
8/ he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.
9/ Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10/ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11/ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The example of our Lord Jesus Christ is set before us. We must resemble him in his life, if we would have the benefit of his death.
Notice the two natures of Christ; his Divine nature, and human nature. Who being in the form of God, partaking the Divine nature, as the eternal and only-begotten Son of God, Joh 1:1, had not thought it a robbery to be equal with God, and to receive Divine worship from men.
His human nature; herein he became like us in all things except sin.
Thus low, of his own will, he stooped from the glory he had with the Father before the world was.
Christ's two states, of humiliation and exaltation, are noticed. Christ not only took upon him the likeness and fashion, or form of a man, but of one in a low state; not appearing in splendour.
His whole life was a life of poverty and suffering. But the lowest step was his dying the death of the cross, the death of a malefactor and a slave; exposed to public hatred and scorn.
The exaltation was of Christ's human nature, in union with the Divine. At the name of Jesus, not the mere sound of the word, but the authority of Jesus, all should pay solemn homage.
It is to the glory of God the Father, to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord; for it is his will, that all men should honour the Son as they honour the Father, Joh 5:23.
Here we see such motives to self-denying love as nothing else can supply. Do we thus love and obey the Son of God?
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