Skip to main content

156. Who Is The Greatest?


Matthew 18:1-5, Mark 9:33-37, Luke 9:46-48
Key Verse: "Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:4

Jesus loves children! That is obvious from the accounts that we read today. Can you imagine being the child that Jesus took into His arms as He talked with His disciples? What must that have felt like for that child? What would it be like to have a physical, close, hands on hug from God Himself? Just thinking about it fills me with awe and longing.

Jesus was honoring this child in response to the childish behavior of His grown disciples. What a silly argument; "Who is the greatest?" Perhaps the argument was brought on by the fact that Jesus had appeared to play favorites with Peter, James and John. Perhaps there was some childish behavior such as jealousy or bragging going on between them. Notice, they were leaving Jesus out of the discussion, as we often do when we are sinning. Childish behavior in adults can be so unappealing. Jesus was aware of it all anyway, as He always is. So, He took the child in His arms and talked to His foolish disciples about what is truly important to God.

David had written in Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." A broken heart is a humble heart. It is humility, not pride and jostling for position that the Lord wishes to see among His followers who identify themselves with His name. But if Jesus was disapproving of the childish behavior that His disciples were displaying, then what exactly is He looking for when He says, "Come like a child?" Let's explore the characteristics that children have that God does approve of and in doing so, perhaps learn better how to display His glory.

First of all, children are helpless. They have no power in this world. They are totally dependent on those around them to have their needs met. We should be as dependent upon our God.

Children are trusting. They will believe what they are told and trust that they will be cared for. We should be as trusting in our God.

Children are open and honest. It was a child that announced, "The emperor has no clothes!" We should be as open and honest with our Heavenly Father and those around us.

Children are humble. They know that they can't do many things without help so they are willing to ask. Are we willing to ask God for His help before it's too late?

Children are eager to learn. Children love to absorb knowledge. What parent hasn't been plagued with the "Why" questions from their toddler? Do we have a yearning to continue growing in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Children are eager to please others. Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, that he too is looking forward to hearing our Lord say, "Well done good and faithful servant!" Are we as eager to please our Lord?

Children are Adaptable. How adaptable are you for our Lord?

Children are joyful. Children bring sunshine. Jesus said that we too should let our lights shine so that others will see our good works and give God glory." (Matt. 5:16) Are we shining for Jesus?

Children are unconditionally loving and forgiving. In Paul's description of love in 1 Cor. 13:4-7, we are taught to do the same, but will we do that for our Lord?

"Come like a child." "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but the One who sent Me." (Mark 9:37)

Hymn: "Jesus Loves Me" 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

211. The Sons of Thunder's Request

Matthew 20:20-28 , Mark 10:35-45 , Key verse: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Mark 10:43B-44 In our readings for yesterday, in which Jesus outlined what was about to happen to Him, for His disciples, the passage in Luke ends: "The disciples did not understand any of this. It's meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what He was talking about." ( Luke 18:34 ) Now, we see just how truly clueless they were. Jesus had laid out a plan before them of pain and suffering and death and now James and John are focused on a promotion. The disconnect is so obvious. It's really not important to know whether James and john came up with this request on their own or if their mother put them up to it. The request was made and James and John thought that they could handle the responsibility that would come with it. What is that saying, "Fools rush in where angels fe...
Post a Comment
Read more

October 27 Save the Glaze for the Bunny

Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips of an evil heart. A malicious man disguises himself with his lips. But in his heart, he harbors deceit. Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it. If a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him. ~Proverbs 26:23-28 For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. Even one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. T...
Post a Comment
Read more

July 16 Thick Skinned Love

Whoever covers over an offence promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. ~Proverbs 17:9 If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. ~Matthew 18:15  The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ~1 Peter 4:7-8  Being offended seems to be the battle cry of the day. Instead of freedom of speech, everyone has the right not to be offended. If one is offended, then one has the right to exact vengeance on the offender because, of course, the offender KNEW that he or she was being offensive and just didn’t care. Is that how you see much of society behaving today?  There seems to be all of this offending and finger pointing that just keeps growing and growing. Nothing is being resolved, just more blame that grows louder a...
Post a Comment
Read more