Enter the Kingdom Like a Child (Matthew 18:1-12)
Who is the greatest? This was the question of the disciples that people still obsess over today. In our fallen-world structures, we can’t get past this concept. Who is better? Who gets to be in charge? You look at books and sermons on this passage and concept, and you will find people totally missing the point. “The key to greatness and leadership,” they will tell you, “is to not seeking after it or grasping at it.” You can be the greatest by pretending you don’t want it?
Instead, Jesus is teaching us about the nature of the Kingdom when He points to the child-like attitude. In the Kingdom of God, none of us is on top. Jesus is King. Our attitude is not to be asking who the greatest is, but rather to enjoy our position of equality with the rest of the family. Who is in charge? God. Who is greatest? Jesus. Where are we? In our perfect, intended, position as children.
It seems to me that one of the stumbling blocks Jesus is warning the disciples about is this very attitude. Who is the greatest? Children don’t start thinking about this until the atmosphere of competition, favoritism, and hierarchies are introduced. As teachers and elders in the church, we need to avoid creating an atmosphere of “greatness.” Who gets to lord it over others? Who are the biggest celebrities in Christian circles? All too often, the church is no better than the world, obsessed with celebrity and idolizing.
Avoiding sin and even temptation to sin is something Jesus emphasizes strongly here. If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out?! Better to be blind than on the outside. So, how do we excise our desire for being better than anyone else? Perhaps the key to being the greatest is to reject that possibility outright. Don’t seek to be in charge. Don’t accept the offer. Defer to the one who is truly in charge in the Kingdom.
Happily be one of the “little ones” in the Kingdom, rather than strive to be in charge and find yourself outside.
Instead, Jesus is teaching us about the nature of the Kingdom when He points to the child-like attitude. In the Kingdom of God, none of us is on top. Jesus is King. Our attitude is not to be asking who the greatest is, but rather to enjoy our position of equality with the rest of the family. Who is in charge? God. Who is greatest? Jesus. Where are we? In our perfect, intended, position as children.
It seems to me that one of the stumbling blocks Jesus is warning the disciples about is this very attitude. Who is the greatest? Children don’t start thinking about this until the atmosphere of competition, favoritism, and hierarchies are introduced. As teachers and elders in the church, we need to avoid creating an atmosphere of “greatness.” Who gets to lord it over others? Who are the biggest celebrities in Christian circles? All too often, the church is no better than the world, obsessed with celebrity and idolizing.
Avoiding sin and even temptation to sin is something Jesus emphasizes strongly here. If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out?! Better to be blind than on the outside. So, how do we excise our desire for being better than anyone else? Perhaps the key to being the greatest is to reject that possibility outright. Don’t seek to be in charge. Don’t accept the offer. Defer to the one who is truly in charge in the Kingdom.
Happily be one of the “little ones” in the Kingdom, rather than strive to be in charge and find yourself outside.
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