Working on my sermon on Mk 9 for Sunday

Mark 9:37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Psalm 138:6 Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

"receives me"; the receiver, receives in Jesus' name. He is identified with Jesus, humble, willing to serve the least for his sake, in his name. With that attitude, he receives the least and, guess what? He receives Jesus himself, for Jesus is with those who really are the least. There are those who take the position of least to serve, and those who really are least in a society - Jesus is with them. But he's also with those who humble themselves in service, for they get to receive him, and in turn, receive God in their lives and work. God the Father is even there with that child as well.
God tends to esteem the least - those we do not regard; they are more likely to be poor in spirit and humble, which God likes. Plus, he is tender and compassionate; he sees their suffering and it bothers him and moves him; he wants to be with them, to identify with them: you receive such, pay attention to them, think about them and open your heart to them like I do, you receive me at the same time because that's where I am in human society.

The proud he knows afar off; that's not just words to teach humility. It's anthropological and theological reality.

My conclusion: Friends, God give us grace to learn these lessons well.  It's right to seek to share Jesus' greatness and glory - the question is how and why!  

We cannot have a seat in Christ's kingdom unless we are on board with who he is and his work of salvation.  Jesus is not a mere moral teacher - he is the only salvation from our sin.  As those he has saved, we must seek to humble ourselves and take the last places.  And we must seek out those who are lowly, those who dwell where our Lord dwells, so that receiving them, we even receive God himself.  Jesus is the Lord of all because he has been the most humble and has served the least - you and me - so that, in the end, he may share his glory with us unworthy sinners, simply because he loves us.  Let's be concerned for his glory - he will not fail to share it on the day of his vindication.  Amen.