Be Like Children
Matthew 18:1-6, Mark 9:33-37, Luke 9:46-48, Luke 22:24-30
Who was the greatest? The disciples often argued over this question. It can easily be seen in the context of Luke 17:2, that the disciples would have been bickering among themselves as to “Who was the greatest?” Having been following Jesus for some time, they most likely thought about the promised kingdom that was to come and what positions would be held in a heavenly administration. Naturally, they would want Jesus to answer this question.
Who better to answer this question than Jesus? However, when Jesus responds, the disciples are left disappointed. Jesus understood the heart and motive behind the disciples' conversation; so He called a child to him. Jesus says, “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 18:3-4).
So, what does it mean to be like a child? It is important to look at how children were regarded in the context of Jesus’ time. Many scholars have noted that children at the time were often considered to be treated like property or servants. They were thought of as the lowest class in ancient Hebrew society. They spoke little and listened carefully. They were humble, meek, servant-hearted, gentle, and self-effacing. They looked up to, and desired to receive care from their Father. They were powerless.
Jesus told His disciples that if they wish to be the greatest, they must lower themselves. They must be humbled and live like the second-class citizens of this earthly kingdom.
Jesus says this later in Matthew 20,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you but be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25-28).
Counter to the rulers of the Gentiles of the time, we must not act as lords in this current age. Rather, we can look to Jesus as the perfect image of servant-heartedness. Jesus, pointing to the child, communicated to the disciples that the child was a reflection of Himself and that He was a reflection of His Father. In using the child, Jesus points to Himself as the greatest in Heaven. He is the one who is the greatest of all because he is a servant of all. Jesus, being lowly on the Earth, would become exalted in Heaven.
Here are some questions to help you reflect on Jesus’ words:
What does it look like to be a “servant among men”?
What practices does Jesus participate in that are “child-like” and how can you adopt those practices?
