Kingdom Greatness

Kingdom Greatness

Mat 18:1-7

Have you ever wanted to be first or maybe to be desired to be the best at something? You know, from my own childhood experiences and now in my latter years, I have heard children getting ready to go somewhere or do something that requires getting into a line, one or more might be heard saying, “No. Me first” as they tried to push or move someone else into position behind them. More than once I have tried to either leave someplace early or position myself in the back of a room and closer to the door so I could be first in line to the lunch counter, coffee bar, restroom, or some other place. I also know that we’ve joked about it many times, but when the Sunday sermon runs a little long and people begin looking at their watches, it’s mostly because they want to see if they’re going to beat the Baptists to the restaurant.

We all tend to desire the number one slot, or to be first, or in the lead in some way. It’s part of our nature as human beings, and you know, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to excel in something. I really want to be a much better preacher than I am. I want to be a better pastor, a more useful minister who sincerely loves people and goes out of his way to help, encourage, comfort, guide, and all the other things ministers do privately and publicly. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that at all. But when those desires to be good or great come at the expense of others, then there is something wrong with that. What I’m saying is that first place honestly earned is ok, but when it comes by hindering or stepping on others, well, that’s different. That is wrong. It’s sinful.

In our text today we see an example of people wanting to be #1 which is wrong, and if you’ll turn in your Bibles to Matthew, chapter 18, we’ll read verses 1 through 9. Or as always, you can follow along on the screen.

Mat 18:1-7 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (2) Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, (3) and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (4) Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (5) Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. (6) "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (7) Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

When we look at this passage, it’s important that we remember that this is later, or towards the end of the Lord’s earthly ministry. He’s still got a lot to say and do, but His time is growing short and the fulfillment of His ministry goals is close to the end. He has been baptized by John. He has been spreading His gospel message all over Judea, Samaria, Galilee, and the surrounding areas. At this time, He is in Galilee and will soon be leaving for his last journey to Jerusalem for His appointment with the cross. He has healed the sick, restored sight to many who had gone blind and actually gave sight to one man who was born blind. He has driven demons out of people, some disciples had witnessed His transfiguration, and His popularity had grown in leaps and bounds. He has called out the religious leaders of the day and exposed them for what they truly are.

From very early in His ministry, people wondered if He was the long expected one, the Messiah, and though He tried to keep this kind of talk down at first, He clearly let people begin to embrace the idea later after Peter’s great confession. It was after this that He began to warn the disciples of what He knew lay ahead. In chapter 16, we read that Mat 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. And again in chapter 17, after His transfiguration Mat 17:22-23 …Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, (23) and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up." And they were exceedingly sorrowful.