Ask any traditional Evangelical Christian, ‘Who was the greatest evangelist?’ They might say Billy Graham, ask them, ‘Who was the greatest theologian?’ They might reply John Calvin, or ask, ‘Who is the greatest preacher?’ You might hear Charles Spurgeon. Justifiably, other luminaries might be suggested.
Irrespective of the ‘who’ of the answer, you can almost be certain that it is going to be someone highly recognisable! Why? Because most Christian notions of greatness are unwittingly formulated from the non-Christian culture they inhabit; notions shaped along the lines of prominence, popularity, influence, longevity, recognizability–virtues that appeal to the human ego.
Yet, when Jesus was asked a similar question; not only was the ‘who’ of the answer entirely unexpected, but the way in which he considered the question and subsequently presented the answer, indicated he was operating from a radically counter-intuitive perspective–incompatible with the human ego.
This article is about Jesus’ answer–the child.
It is written in Matthew’s gospel, ‘ At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’ Matt 18:4 (NIV)
When the question was initially asked, doubtless the listeners were expecting the answer: Moses, Abraham, Elijah etc. People who were influential, recognisable, publicly approved– even legendary!
Yet, Jesus’ conception of God’s kingdom, and the things God actually valued was so radically different, that in presenting his answer he surprisingly called to himself a little anonymous child.
But how is a child great? Well, this is just it–it isn’t.
Jesus is radically subverting the human notion of greatness. For him, greatness in God’s view has nothing to do with prominence, influence, legacy, popularity, etc–nothing whatsoever! He is making it clear, that if you think God values you, your ministry, or your alleged service of God; because you are more influential, popular, powerful and publicly proven–you are sadly mistaken.
What then is it about ‘the child’ that personifies Jesus’ kingdom greatness?
Well, the little child has no guile, no vision of grandeur, no notion of self-importance, and no means of acting on these to advance its own cause. The child is largely anonymous, the child is not recognisable, the child is unconcerned about its wider public reputation, the child has no sophisticated plans for self-advancement, the child is focused on the moment and pays no mind to the future, the child is more readily predisposed to obey, the child is more willing to trust, and the child is completely dependent. Before God, the child simply is!
The child illustrates the radical truth, that greatness is only attained when you stop thinking about your own greatness, your potential accomplishments, and what others might think of you; and start living in humble obedience to God’s will–simply focusing on him and his will!
Moreover, this greatness in God’s economy (His kingdom) manifests itself with a genuine concern for those ‘beneath you’, paying careful attention to their needs and their ultimate well-being. In this regard, Jesus actually applies this new child like greatness–to the needs of the child!
‘ “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” ‘ Matt 18:5-6 (NIV)
Doubtless, for Jesus, the child represents more than children per se; but any vulnerable, weak, lowly, dependant person who has nothing to offer and everything to lose. The child represents those whom we are to serve, and not expect service from! Indeed, so important is the notion of acting in gracious service toward the child-like, that Jesus outlines the gravity of moral responsibility that must be exercised toward such as these.
Failing to take seriously the great moral responsibility to serve and provide a ‘kingdom oriented’ example, is , in Jesus’ view, a fate worse than death.
Jesus continues…
‘ “Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come If your hand or your foot causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. ‘ Matt 18: 7-9 (NIV)
Jesus delves deeper into the details of moral responsibility toward the child ( and the Child-like). So important is it to set a kingdom example to the vulnerable, and so damaging are the consequences for the vulnerable, that Jesus calls for radical moral surgery to one’s own life, calling to cut out even things that are necessary to avoid causing a ‘little one’ to stumble, fall, or be misled…
Consequently, not only are we to ‘put-off’ any self-oriented notion of greatness, but we are to ‘put-on’ a radically harsh attitude of person moral critique; cutting out any moral indiscretion, any bad habit, any sinful desire, and any selfish behaviour that might hinder the vulnerable from coming to know God and enter into fulness of his kingdom life and eternal reality.
Rather than despising the lowly, the vulnerable, the weak, the poor, the lonely, the disadvantaged, the child; those adopting kingdom greatness are to carefully consider the greatness of their responsibility toward such as these, and be mindful of who is actually looking on…
‘ “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” ‘Matthew 18:10 NIV
Oh Jesus, the power of your irony!
Those who are great in the eyes of the world look to into the face of public opinion for approval. But, as Jesus reveals, those who adopt this ‘new’ kingdom view of greatness as a child– sacrificially serving the most vulnerable, such as the child– are unwittingly being represented, through the angels of these little ones, to the face of God.
God sees them and sees them caring for these vulnerable little ones, and he approves–now there is nothing greater than that.
Spirit & Truth 