And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them,
The disciples thought Christ would be a temporal Prince with great officers of state, and they were scrambling for the highest offices. Jesus tells them their whole notion of His kingdom is wrong; they must turn from these opinions entirely, or they have no part in it. He means they should lay aside their ambitious pride and be willing to occupy the humble station that actually belongs to them.
AI summary
Pride and ambition are more odious to God than almost any other sin, especially in gospel ministers. Even converted persons need further conversion from particular sins; the disciples had been turned from sin's course, but they needed conversion from this ambition. True conversion may be sincere yet deeply imperfect, with lusts breaking forth that must be resisted and subdued.
AI summary
Christ set the child where all could see him and by that sight alone they might perceive His meaning: the one who is least in his own eyes, most humble, would be greatest in His kingdom. The emblem spoke for itself, though His words followed to drive the lesson home.
AI summary