Yaˇ ehˉ chi hkʼe ve teˇ gʼaˇ hta‸ ngaˬ ve awˬ meh awˬ hkʼaw lo ha‸ yuˬ ve chaw hkʼaˬ ve teˇ gʼaˇ maˇ kʼoˆ, ngaˬ hta‸ ha‸ yuˬ ve yoˬ. Ngaˬ hta‸ ha‸ yuˬ ve chaw lehˬ, ngaˬ hta‸ ceh tiˉ ha‸ yuˬ ve maˇ heˆ. Ngaˬ hta‸ peu laˇ shehˍ hpaˇ hta‸ yawˇ ha‸ yuˬ ve yoˬ teh‸ kʼoˆ ve yoˬ.
What Does This Mean?
Jesus is speaking and saying that welcoming children in His name is like receiving Him, and receiving Him means you are also receiving God the Father who sent Jesus.
Explained for Children
Imagine if you gave a friend your favorite toy because I asked you to. That would be like giving me the toy too! And when you give me something nice, it’s almost like you’re giving it to my mommy and daddy as well.
Historical Background
This verse comes from Mark's Gospel, written around AD 65-70 for Gentile Christians. Jesus is teaching His disciples about humility and the importance of accepting others with grace.
Living It Out Today
In a modern scenario, if you help a young person in need because you believe it’s what Jesus would do, you are living out this verse by showing care through His name.
Children symbolize humility and openness. Jesus uses them to teach that welcoming someone with a childlike spirit is equivalent to receiving Him.
Does this apply only to literal children?
While the verse refers to children, it broadly applies to any person we welcome with Christ-like love and humility, regardless of their age.
How does welcoming someone in Jesus' name affect our faith?
Welcoming others in Jesus’ name strengthens our faith by embodying His teachings on love and acceptance, deepening our relationship with Him.
What can we learn from the broader context of Mark 9?
The chapter deals with themes like humility, forgiveness, and the cost of discipleship, emphasizing how these virtues reflect Jesus’ character and mission.