“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. ‘Truly I tell you,’ He said, ‘unless you change and become like little children, you will NEVER enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18:1-4
Jesus was directing this truth to His disciples, those who claimed to follow Him. Many think that it is how much we know (scripture knowledge) that matters most in today’s Christianity; however, Jesus’ message concerning our becoming like simple, humble, and trusting (faith filled) little children challenges this very notion! Why is it that so many “Christians” pride themselves in how much they believe they know about the scriptures instead of simply fostering a deep rooted personal relationship, just as a child would, with Jesus Christ?
Jesus wants to be clear, that greatness in the kingdom is not about glory and power or honor and prestige. They wished to find out who was greatest among themselves, was it Simon, the son of Jonah, to whom Christ said, "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church"? How about when James and John the sons of Zebedee had come privately to ask much the same thing?
But Jesus consistently points His disciples not to glory, but to lowliness. Saying earlier in Matthew's Gospel that none born of women were greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom is greater than he. What does the Lord mean by these words? He speaks of Himself--the Son of God come down in weakness, as the least of all, who would be betrayed, handed over to Gentiles, crucified between two brigands, mocked, spat upon, and die a death of humility and shame. The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.
Likewise He said to them that the greatest among them is their slave. The least shall be greatest, the last shall be first, all who lift themselves up shall be humbled, and the lowly shall be lifted up.
So it is here, they ask which shall be greatest. For they imagine still a kingdom of a restored Israel, with Jesus on a throne of power--and they as His closest followers shall be rewarded when He assumes His messianic authority and power as King. But Jesus points them away from this, over and over again. And so when they ask Him this, this time He bids a small child to come and stand in their midst, presenting this little one, without any glory or power or strength as greatest in the kingdom. And if they would desire to be great in the kingdom, to be like one such as this.
See what He says in the Gospel of John chapter 3, "You must be born again", for He would that they transformed, converted, to become as a little child. That their place in the kingdom is not a position of earthly glory and power; but rather to share in His weakness and humility. To become like a little child, born anew from God by the power of His grace, and to be a child--lowly, hearing and learning the word taught to them, growing in grace and faith.
There are enough self-important adults in the world, the kings, emperors, magistrates, scribes, Pharisees, governors, etc. What Christ would have is a Church of loving, compassionate, humble people who, in imitation of Himself, would bear the love of God into the world through His Gospel. For to them He would call and command the preaching of forgiveness in His name, and in making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The kingdom does not come from self-importance, in the vain glory of power, strength, pride, etc. It is not to the self-important adults, for lords and kings and the rich and powerful; but for the lowly. For He has declared, "Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of God", and He extends this to more than just the financially poor, but calls us to be like the poor in saying in Matthew's version, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". He speaks of suffering for the sake of righteousness, in the blessedness of the hungry for they shall be fed, the blessedness of those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Therefore, let us see ourselves not as self-important adults, but as humble children. That we might love unconditionally, serve charitably, give generously. To do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly before our God.
For that to happen we must be changed, and that change comes by the grace of God through the Gospel, on account of Christ's atoning work on the cross. So that when we are converted and born of God, we are new creatures. Anew in Christ, with a brand new man in Him, which is made alive by the Holy Spirit--even as we wrestle against the flesh of the old Adam still fighting within us. Thus we are set forth on the road as disciples, carrying the cross of discipleship in the world, as humble and repentant sinners, as God's dear and beloved children--to be His Church. And in this way, Christ as King rules and reigns over His kingdom, even now.
He who suffered and died, rose again, ascended into the heavens, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, from whence He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
In this life, let us live these things as true, because they are.
-CryptoLutheran