Warning for the contemptuous.
The "little ones" here are childlike followers of Christ (cf. Matthew 18:6). Reference to the infants to whom humble Christians are likened is not excluded. The infant seed of the faithful are of the family of Jesus. Neither the disciple nor the infant must be despised.
I. THEY ARE THE REVERSE OF DESPICABLE WHO ARE THE SPECIAL CHARGE OF HOLY ANGELS.
1. The universe is dual, having material and spiritual complements.
(1) Matter has characteristic properties. The properties of spirit are no less characteristic and distinct.
2. In this system holy angels have special relations to good men.
3. They cannot with impunity be despised whose guardians are so influential.
II. THEY ARE THE REVERSE OF DESPICABLE WHO ENJOY THE SPECIAL FAVOUR OF GOD.
1. Those who have the angels of God for their angels have the God of angels for their God. This honour is superlative.
2. Some interpret the "angels" of the "little ones" to be the disembodied spirits of the sailors, which "do always behold the face of the Father which is in heaven."
3. Those whose disembodied spirits would be honoured with the vision of God cannot be despised with impunity.
III. THEY ARE THE REVERSE OF DESPICABLE WHO ARE THE SPECIAL SOLICITUDE OF CHRIST. In the parable of the sheep we have:
1. The flock.
2. The wanderer.
3. The Shepherd.
4. The enemy. Those who would injure the sheep of Christ are special objects of his displeasure.