The FAA says you have to have a B-737 rating to fly any 737, regardless of revision [1]. The MAX series is the maximum number of changes the FAA would permit and still allow it to be called a 737. In theory, someone who is type rated and familiar with the -100 series should be able to safely operate the MAX 8.
Most likely the airlines have rules above and beyond that (like requiring sim or right seat time in a particular revision), but this is the motivation behind the aircraft. If they had made a 738, it would have needed to go through certification as if it were a new design. By making it a revision, the certification process is significantly reduced in both time and costs.
1. https://registry.faa.gov/TypeRatings/ (note the MAX isn't present on this list; I assume due to it being grounded)