Matthew 18:1-5 Who Is the Greatest?
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”
The disciples have been following Jesus for some time now, and they naturally want to know more about the kingdom of heaven. Unfortunately, their question is a leading one: “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Jesus realizes that these guys aren’t simply asking this because they are truly concerned about heavenly matters but because they figure that as Jesus’ disciples, they are getting in on the ground floor and will surely be among the greatest when Jesus comes into his kingdom. These men are hoping that Jesus will say something like, “Well, of course, as my original disciples, you will become assistant rulers.” After all, these men have left everything to follow Jesus, so they should certainly be rewarded handsomely, right?
Knowing exactly what the disciples are thinking, Jesus finds a small child and leads him into the group. Jesus then tells the disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”
Oh! Ouch! This answer is not what the disciples were hoping for. The disciples are fishing for assurance and some indication regarding their standing in the kingdom. Humility has no place in the disciples’ thinking right now. The disciples are hoping that Jesus is going to say something flattering; instead, he says just the opposite. Now the disciples are confused because they have been quietly jockeying for position by walking as closely to Jesus as possible, sitting next to him during meals, and sitting as close to his feet as possible when he is teaching. Jesus has also realized that the disciples are ignoring the children who are coming with their parents, even though the children are also listening to him raptly.
Jesus has been observing these attempts at manipulation and feels it’s time to put a stop to them. Competition for Jesus’ favor will only result in division and fights. Why does Jesus choose a small child as a role model? Small children are without pretense. If not spoiled, a small child has no hidden agendas and realizes it is powerless unless adults help it. Children trust the adults around them and believe the adults can and will help them. This is the kind of faith Jesus is recommending to his disciples. At the same time, Jesus is warning the disciples to honor the children for their faith may be purer than that of the disciples.
Recently, a phrase has crept into common usage, GOAT, standing for the Greatest Of All Time. The first time I encountered the phrase, I had no idea what was meant, and I wondered why someone would compliment anybody by comparing them to a goat. Goats are stinky, smelly, and generally have foul dispositions. It took some time before I realized that to be called GOAT was a positive thing.
In this short story, the disciples are very concerned about which of them will be named GOAT; meanwhile, Jesus is concerned about something totally different, MHOAT-Most Humble Of All Time. Later, Paul will write to the Philippians, saying, “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1-4)
Jesus is trying to teach the disciples that humility is more important than self-promotion, and that care for others is more important than care for oneself. When questioned by a religious leader regarding the greatest commandments, Jesus will say, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
Jesus himself is setting the greatest example possible for the disciples. Paul describes Jesus this way: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
The Son of God came to earth to be born as a helpless infant and to serve all those whom he encountered. Then Jesus died the most shameful death possible in the Roman Empire, crucifixion. Having accomplished all these things, Jesus is both the GOAT and also the MHOAT. As disciples, let us follow his example!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow Your example and to humble ourselves as little children.
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