At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.? (And Jesus said) Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
-- Matthew 18:1, 4
It strikes as an odd question; especially given the context.
Who is the greatest?
Not long before, a few of Jesus' followers had seen a most amazing thing - Jesus was transfigured right in front of them. Peter, James and John witnessed a heavenly glory shining on earth, through and around the water-walking carpenter to whom they had pledged themselves.
Now they are among those asking the question. (One of them may have asked it.) The quick answer to the question is... him. Who is the greatest? Jesus.
Oddly, that is not Jesus' answer. The Word become flesh didn't call on a heavenly chorus to sing his name in angelic harmony. Instead, he called over a child and said, "Do you you see this kid-ness, this lack of self-importance, this inability to see himself as better than or herself as self-sufficient? The one who humbles himself/herself to be truly childlike will begin to experience the greatness of heaven's kingdom."
Humility is not greatly prized in our society. We all cry out, "I am the greatest!" in some way. (Just scroll through social media feeds.) We compare ourselves, we rate ourselves... then we berate ourselves and others. Ultimately, our cries of I am the greatest! come from places of pain and misunderstanding.
It is bewildering the disciples could ask the question, Who is the greatest, after all they had seen. It is just as mystifying that I find myself quietly asking the same question from time to time.
God, help me to discover kid-ness. There is joy and safety in humility.
For now...
D
Who is the greatest?
Now they are among those asking the question. (One of them may have asked it.) The quick answer to the question is... him. Who is the greatest? Jesus.
Oddly, that is not Jesus' answer. The Word become flesh didn't call on a heavenly chorus to sing his name in angelic harmony. Instead, he called over a child and said, "Do you you see this kid-ness, this lack of self-importance, this inability to see himself as better than or herself as self-sufficient? The one who humbles himself/herself to be truly childlike will begin to experience the greatness of heaven's kingdom."
Humility is not greatly prized in our society. We all cry out, "I am the greatest!" in some way. (Just scroll through social media feeds.) We compare ourselves, we rate ourselves... then we berate ourselves and others. Ultimately, our cries of I am the greatest! come from places of pain and misunderstanding.
It is bewildering the disciples could ask the question, Who is the greatest, after all they had seen. It is just as mystifying that I find myself quietly asking the same question from time to time.
God, help me to discover kid-ness. There is joy and safety in humility.
For now...
D
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