Matthew 18:1-5,10
The
disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven?’ So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them.
Then he said, ‘I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little
children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes
himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven. ‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that their
angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven.’
Food for thought!
Jesus has lived with his disciples for some
time now. Yet, they are not able to understand the truth about Jesus; they
can't and don't get the message that Jesus came to this world “not to be
served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.” The
disciples not only they don't understand Jesus, they are busy discussing among
themselves who is number one disciple; they want to know the super disciple
among them.
Maybe Peter says, “Well, it’s obvious that I am the leader. After all, it was me that first proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah.”Maybe Andrew says, “Wait just a minute Brother! I introduced you to Jesus. If it weren’t for me, you would still be out there on that boat fishing.” Maybe John and James speak up and say, “Hold it right there! We were among the first to follow Him. We have been with Him longer than the rest.” Maybe Judas says, “What about me? He trusts me to take care of the money.” And so it goes. Each man thinks he is more qualified than the others. Each man thinks he is more worthy of honor than the others.
This argument could have gone on and on, had the disciples not taken the matter to Jesus. When they were talking among themselves the issue seemed important. The gospel reading says that they CAME TO JESUS and said, “Who is the greatest...?” Our arguments and quarrels and matters seem important as long as we stay away from Jesus. Our arguments go on and on, with everybody in it thinking that he is right, because we don't take it to Jesus.
The lesson is clear: we need to come to Jesus and tell him our discussions; we need to come to Jesus and tell him our plans. Many times what Jesus will tell us is the opposite of what we used to know. Jesus will change our thinking and our doing and our being. This is what the disciples learned that day. They learned that greatness is through smallness; that to really have others respect you, serve them; put them before yourself and meet their needs, forgetting about your own needs; give them the first seat, without wanting anything in return.
When we humble ourselves, the Lord will exalt us in due time: “But those who think themselves great shall be disappointed and humbled; and those who humble themselves shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:12); “serve each other with humble spirits, for God gives special blessings to those who are humble, but sets himself against those who are proud.” (1 Peter. 5:5).
Maybe Peter says, “Well, it’s obvious that I am the leader. After all, it was me that first proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah.”Maybe Andrew says, “Wait just a minute Brother! I introduced you to Jesus. If it weren’t for me, you would still be out there on that boat fishing.” Maybe John and James speak up and say, “Hold it right there! We were among the first to follow Him. We have been with Him longer than the rest.” Maybe Judas says, “What about me? He trusts me to take care of the money.” And so it goes. Each man thinks he is more qualified than the others. Each man thinks he is more worthy of honor than the others.
This argument could have gone on and on, had the disciples not taken the matter to Jesus. When they were talking among themselves the issue seemed important. The gospel reading says that they CAME TO JESUS and said, “Who is the greatest...?” Our arguments and quarrels and matters seem important as long as we stay away from Jesus. Our arguments go on and on, with everybody in it thinking that he is right, because we don't take it to Jesus.
The lesson is clear: we need to come to Jesus and tell him our discussions; we need to come to Jesus and tell him our plans. Many times what Jesus will tell us is the opposite of what we used to know. Jesus will change our thinking and our doing and our being. This is what the disciples learned that day. They learned that greatness is through smallness; that to really have others respect you, serve them; put them before yourself and meet their needs, forgetting about your own needs; give them the first seat, without wanting anything in return.
When we humble ourselves, the Lord will exalt us in due time: “But those who think themselves great shall be disappointed and humbled; and those who humble themselves shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:12); “serve each other with humble spirits, for God gives special blessings to those who are humble, but sets himself against those who are proud.” (1 Peter. 5:5).
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