“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18:1-4
Humility is something that we have a hard time grasping and doing, even with the example of Jesus staring us in the face. In our culture, the old Mac Davis (don’t know who he is? Google can help you! Lol!) song seems to ring true with each new generation, “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble when your perfect in every way!” Now, most of us would not openly say this with any degree of seriousness in public but it seems it is what we all too often think, for we all too often think more highly of ourselves then we ought.
And as we see here, the disciples had an issue with humility as well, even while hanging out with the greatest example of humility ever…Jesus. Despite all the time they have had with Jesus…despite all the sermons and talks that they heard from Him… despite Jesus showing them His power and yet not wanting to take credit (“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me.”-John 6:38), the disciples are still quarreling among themselves wondering out loud who will be the greatest when Jesus comes into His kingdom. They are not interested in all the talk about suffering for the Kingdom of Christ or suffering like Jesus. No, their thoughts were on who would be the greatest in His earthly kingdom. Even after all this time they are still thinking of Jesus’ Kingdom as other kingdoms of the world when Jesus has said it would not be so. Instead, they exhibited their selfishness and concern for their own station and glory rather than the glory of Christ and the good of others. So you see…not that much different from us two millennium later. And if you are asking yourself, How does he come to such a conclusion? Just stop and look at how often the Bible speaks to humility in God’s children.
Into this discussion Jesus brings a child and says to their inquiry, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus was the master of the upside down and sideways response. They certainly didn’t see that coming. What about us? We, Like Paul, often focus on the negative behaviors of children because we, even as adults, exhibit the negative behavior of children…after all we are all sinners. Redeemed, perhaps, but still acting like sinners too often. Interestingly, Jesus does not take the same tact in using children as an example.
Instead He tells them again, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” They have had Him and His example for over 2 years and they hadn’t gotten it. They had had His preaching about what Kingdom citizens are to act like and be, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek(humble), for they shall inherit the earth.” They had had all that and possibly thought like we would think… “That teaching is for all those out there that don’t get to hang out with Jesus.”
So Jesus, always looking to teach, brings in a child and commands them and us that we must humble ourselves like a child. This would have caused the disciples to stop talking, at least, and look. And it should us as well. What is it that we are supposed to see in this example? Children are helplessly dependent and this in turn forces humility. Children are small in stature and low is status (maybe even more so today than at any other time in history) and it is in this way that we are to imitate them. Children do not really desire authority, or regard outward distinctions, naturally, they are teachable and willingly depend upon their parents, teachers…other adults. This child then becomes a vivid picture of how the disciples and us are to act in humility.
We can think of all the “earthly” reasons not to be poor in spirit and not to be humble…since the world often takes advantage of those who exhibit these qualities but humility does not equal being a doormat. Humility also requires that we stand up for one another as children often do for each other…and for the truth…as children so often throw back into our faces after they have learned it from us, (“But, Daddy, I thought you said!”) Irregardless of the “problems” associated with being humble, Jesus commands us to be humble saying unless we turn and become like this child we will NEVER enter the kingdom of God. And James picks up on this as well when he tells His hearers, “But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:6-7) Even Peter gets in on this, “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” So whether it is Jesus , James, Peter or most of the Old Testament we are given the command to be humble which means we are to be dependent upon Him as a child is to their parents.
This humility also reflects an understanding of Christ’s on-going provision and protection…(say, grace)…towards His children…a promise made in the covenant of grace. For what will happen to those who abuse His children? “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matt. 18:5-6)Our God does not take lightly those who would abuse His children as we seek to follow His command to be humble.
The lesson is clear this morning, humility over self-centeredness. So let us consider this today! “And calling to him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’”
God bless y’all today.
In His Grip,
Pastor Mike
