The word refers to one who serves a master and consequently everyone else who comes into the house. Such a man or woman is the most important person in the room, church, or community. He is not the one who brags about himself. I know a man who frequently brags about his important position of helping start new churches and various ministries.
He is a member of a very large church and it is obvious that he thinks he is an important man. We can understand that such a person might feel important and very significant. The disciples did too! But Jesus wants us to get a different perspective about ourselves. When we feel important, Jesus wants us to understand that we have become the most unimportant person in the room.
Then Jesus illustrates this important truth. He calls a child to Himself Matthew and has the child stand beside Him Luke Then He picks the child up and holds him or her while teaching. To us, this would appear to be a loving, gracious act or a good political move.
First century children had low status. This reveals that the child had not yet reached puberty. Children of that age are dependent, insecure, greatly inexperienced in life, still learning, and very vulnerable. No wonder the Jews did not respect them.
Yet, Jesus called the child to Himself anyway. He did this to make an important point about who was truly important. Therefore He picked up one who was not highly respected by the adults — a child. We do not know if the child was a girl or boy. We know nothing about the child except that he or she was physically immature.
Both truths depend upon you becoming like a little child. The first truth is that becoming like a little child is necessary to get into heaven. Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew NASB. The Jews thought that a person earned heaven by their good works. They thought the wealthy were going to heaven because they could give a great amount of money to the poor. They thought that the wealthy earned special favor with God. The Jews thought that reading the Torah daily and keeping a bunch of other rules would grant them heaven.
Therefore, they must have been furious when Jesus said that one must become like a child in order to get into heaven. Jesus not only challenged what they believed and the doctrines they taught, but He also called them to stop seeking the honor of others. Jesus redefined how to get into heaven.
One must change and become like a child. He was not talking about behavior but an attitude. A new attitude is necessary. In Matthew of the Beatitudes Jesus describes the attitude of the mind that He is looking for in another way. He says that the poor in spirit are the ones who will gain heaven.
Also, Lazarus was described as being poor or a beggar — a ptochos. Beggars are not rich, middle class, or the poor. Beggars are people who have nothing. They are at the bottom. They are beggars who are willing to accept anything and everything. Would it be Peter, since He seemed so often in the middle of things? But then again, Peter was also the one that received the most rebukes.
What about James and John? They also seemed to have a special relationship with Jesus. What about Judas, their trusted treasurer? Or maybe one of the other men who were older, or perhaps Matthew who had certainly left the most things of this world behind in order to follow Jesus? Who was the greatest? But be careful, for what they did is a mirror for us, for we easily do the same thing. Who is the greatest in the kingdom of the church?
The most obvious candidates are those of up front or serve in some leadership capacity. Is it me because I am the pastor? How about Jane since she is the treasurer?
What about Jonathan who directs our music for worship or perhaps one of the musicians? What about Dominic who heads up our evangelism efforts? These are the obvious possibilities, but praise the Lord, I have never encountered any of the people I have just mentioned pushing to gain preeminence or power, though I have encountered others. We are blessed with people in our various leadership positions who strive to serve in humility and not in pride.
It can also be in the quietness of our hearts because we would be embarrassed to say out loud the kinds of things we think. Some people openly display their pride by their words and obvious actions. With others it can be very subtle such as a sideward glance, a look of disdain, a disparaging remark disguised as an innocent question, a statement about what they would do if they were in charge.
Others may even do a good job at keeping their hidden thoughts hidden, but the proud thoughts are still there. Being humble does not mean you have to lack confidence or conviction, but it does mean that your understanding and desires are always placed in submission to God.
That is why I so often encourage you to talk with me if you think I have erred in my explanation of the Scriptures. Pride will block this. People who are proud might think they are great, and they may even posses some superior skills and abilities, but they are blocked from the corrections needed to improve and become greater.
They become entrapped in their own little, petty, transient world instead of doing what counts for eternity. God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble James A life of faith seeks to know God and His will, and learns to trust Him by obedience to His commands leaving the outcome in His hands. Be very careful of picking and choosing from the Scriptures what you will believe and obey and what you will not. You do not have to agree with any particular explanation I give of a Biblical text, but it is very dangerous to place yourself as being superior to God Himself and judging His revelation.
If you do disagree with my exposition, then you have an obligation to try to correct me while being open to correction yourself. It is His greatness we want to magnify and not our own. In the foolishness of our depraved minds, we think that we are more important if we can find some way in which we are better or of superior quality or skill than someone else and therefore great.
The point is proved by how many times we compare ourselves to those that are inferior in a particular area in the effort build up our ego rather than comparing ourselves to those who are of superior character and skill than us.
Yes, they should have been embarrassed, and yet, Jesus is gracious in correcting them. The principle itself is simple enough, but it is contrary to the way almost every human society establishes itself. The rulers act in a superior and domineering manner towards those under them. Those in authority demand obedience by those under them with threats of negative consequences if they do not.
Those who are greater are served by the lesser. Greatness in the kingdom of heaven is the reverse with the greater serving the lessor and everyone being clothed with humility 1 Peter Jesus uses an object lesson to make His point.
Each gospel account adds a detail about what Jesus does next. The child comes without hesitation. Jesus loves children, and they love Him. Keep in mind that this child will be standing there with Jesus throughout the rest of Matthew 18 as an illustration of what Jesus is teaching about the kingdom of heaven.
As the chapter continues Jesus shows that there is no room for pride in the kingdom because everyone in it is treated as a child vs , protected as a child vs , disciplined as a child vs , and forgiven as a child vs The child analogy Jesus draws here is perfect because if anything, the disciples were acting as children and they needed to be reminded that is what they were in comparison to what they should be and to their Heavenly Father.
I laugh when I remember taking my sons on walks around the church property when they were very small. There was a place with a fairly good sized rock they liked to climb on.
The greatest in the kingdom is Jesus, and if you want to display greatness in His kingdom, then there is only one way possible. You must reflect His greatness. You must be like Him. Neither does He get upset with them for their utter selfishness displayed in having such an argument so soon after He had told them that He was going to Jerusalem where He would suffer and die, then be raised from the dead.
Their initially grieved hearts turned back to themselves as they contemplated each others relative worth in the coming kingdom.
Verse Click for Chapter. New International Version An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. New Living Translation Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest.
English Standard Version An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. Berean Study Bible Then an argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Berean Literal Bible And an argument came up among them, which of them might be greatest. King James Bible Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. New King James Version Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest.
New American Standard Bible Now an argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. Honoring others. The honor given to the greatest, is the same honor given to a little child. From clamoring for honors for oneself, to honoring others, … a little child. Jesus captures the essence of greatness in a down-to-earth, simple, everyday action, done to serve a little child. Something anyone can do, even, … a child.
Greatness is not found in position or title, … rather, … its an everyday heartfelt, practical moment, i. The greatest — from self-serving, self-importance, self-promotion, self-benefit to humbly serving others, … a little child, in love, one child at a time. A great example of serving and loving the least, was the Centurion who sought Jesus to heal his humble servant. Mark NIV. Let the little children come to me, … for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Thus, in the kingdom of God, rather than age or seniority or qualifications or achievements, or titles, appointments,. Other examples: David was the youngest; Joseph was the youngest before Benjamin was born. The boy wanted to help. On another note, perhaps, … in anticipating undesirable attitudes towards younger believers, Paul counseled Timothy, Let no one look down on your youthfulness … 1 Timonhy When the least, insignificant, without status person, eg.
A child … is not able to repay back our kindness and favor. Never speak harshly to an older man , but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Seeing a little child, …. Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me. From ministry in front of large crowds, to just an audience of … one, … a little child. Would we serve or share just as wholeheartedly, fervently and faithfully, … if … only, … one person showed up?
All ministry is unto Jesus, Himself. Rather, … its about our attitudes, in our everyday, ordinary, simple acts of humble service in blessing someone else, … in love, in humility. The Lord does not look at the things people look at.
People look at the outward appearance , but the Lord looks at the heart. Ever felt un-welcomed or ignored? A welcome is usually the first contact, the first impression to anyone,. In the business world — undercover boss, … mystery shopper; the memorable service received at certain shops, banks, airlines, restaurants, etc … church? Hebrews ,2 NIV Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Some examples of Bible characters who entertained angels — Abraham in Genesis , Gideon in Judges , Thus, let us honor and be gracious to everyone; honor the very least, ….
Serve the very least; not ignore them or overlook them. Mark NIV 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Instead, treat each one we meet as a unique individual, with unique experiences and gifts to share. Welcome each one with an open heart, an open mind, and open hand, embracing with open arms as unto Jesus.
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,. Ephesians NASB. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans NIV.
Ephesians NLT God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Furthermore, … at the heart of serving the youngest and the least, is a question of our priorities?
While at school, a dear friend made an unforgettable compliment on a reputable professor, a busy man holding multiple appointments. This prof is also a follower of Jesus. Taking time off or timeout … to assist, to attend, to listen, in the midst of a crowded schedule with more important things to do, more important people to meet,. Consider, … whenever something unexpected or serious happens, who?? Or … when one is in real need of someone to talk to, who will we call?
Mathew , 14 NIV 13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Dwight L. His manners were often brash and crude, and he never became an ordained minister. Among his many achievements on either side of the Atlantic was the founding of Moody Bible Institute. Through D. They later went on to the inland provinces of China to spread the gospel. When D. Moody in If the gospel is for everyone, then all who receive the good news are members of the body of Christ and should be treated equally.
Lutzer, He will be the Preacher, Moody Publishers, , pg ,
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