The Symbolic Child
Mark 9:33-37
And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that you disputed among yourselves by the way?…


I. THE EXAMPLE OF CHILDREN. They are humble and trustful in the presence of superior wisdom. Man not always so, but ought always to be so.

II. THE SECRET OF POWER LIES IN SERVICE. Command others by being useful to them. Rise in a community by working your way through all the grades of service, from the lowest to the highest.

III. TO STOOP IN LOVE IS TO RISE IN HONOUR. Jesus puts his arms around the little ones and around the weak, and is enthroned in the dependent heart of mankind.

IV. THE SCALE OF SERVICE, AND THE INCLUSION OF THE LOWER IN THE HIGHER. The order of duty is not to begin with the high and the remote, but with the lowly and the mean. "God is served by obedience to Christ, and Christ by kindness to the least and lowest who belong to him" (Godwin). - J.



Parallel Verses
KJV: And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

WEB: He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?"




The Lesson of Humility
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