Luke 9:46-48

In the gospel of Luke, Jesus says: "Anyone who welcomes a little child in my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes the One who sent me."

An argument among the disciples, as to which one of them is the greatest, leads Jesus to make this statement. The same teaching appears in the gospels of Mark and Matthew, although in the gospel of Matthew the disciples are not quarreling about their own greatness but merely ask, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" This difference is consistent with the more favorable treatment the disciples receive in the gospel of Matthew in comparison with the gospels of Mark and Luke.

In all three gospels, the teaching offers God's blessing on those who do the work of the church. It is not simply being nice to children that matters, but discerning the presence of God in each one. This is what is means to follow Jesus and to serve the One who sent him.

Grace and peace...Bob