There seems to be a fundamental human urge in all of us that causes us to want to be the greatest at doing or being something James and John are really a good representation of the human race when they ask Jesus to let them sit on each side of Him in His kingdom. . If left to go unchecked this can allow an unhealthy pride to develop. This drive can lead people to say some of the most idiotic things. “I’m richer than you; therefore I am your superior.” “I am more eloquent than you; therefore I am your superior.” “I have more education than you; therefore I am your superior.” During the second century the Greek philosopher Epictetus pointed out the absence of logic in these connections. The true connection he said is this, “I am richer than you therefore my possessions must exceed yours.” “I am more eloquent than you therefore my style must surpass yours.” But persons, Epictetus correctly argued, consist neither in property nor in style. What they do seem to consist of, unfortunately, is the urge to be the greatest. Paul in his second letter to Timothy points out that conceit will be a common trait in the last days. A wise person once said that pride is the only disease that makes everyone sick except the one who has it. And of all who get sick over it, God is the one that gets the most nauseated. Solomon wisely states in Proverbs 6, of all the things that nauseate God pride is at the top of the list. It is quite unfortunate that this type of pride has crept into the church. There are those in the church who believe that if they were not there the doors would close. As we discover in our text God defines greatness in an entirely different way than the world. Let’s take some time to discover, “Who’s the greatest in the kingdom?”
I. Greatness as defined by the world.
A. The New Testament writers deal quite a bit with the subject of conceit.
1. Webster defines conceit as an excessive appreciation of one’s own worth or virtue.
2. The word conceit appears twelve times in the New Testament and each time seems to be the result of excessive pride.
3. When you carefully look at each place the word is mentioned you will soon discover that it implies that greatness is determined by holding a high rank or position.
4. This leads us to see that James and John’s question assumes a hierarchal pecking order in which status and clout are determined by one’s rank.
5. They are “thinking the things of men,” and view their life in the kingdom in terms of status and privilege, not self-denial and sacrifice.
B. When we define Kingdom things according to earthly definitions we really miss the point.
1. Any human society is concerned to establish a proper ‘pecking order’ and the gospels record several disputes among the disciples on this subject.
2. James and John’s interest in prestige and power demonstrates that they did not fully grasp Jesus’ recent prediction of his passion and sacrificial death.
3. It does not take long to discover that the according to the world’s definition greatness is determined by having rank, knowledge or riches.
4. The problem is not having a high rank, money or owning lots of possessions. It is when we are driven by the desire to get more and more that it is wrong.
5. Greatness in God’s economy is measured very differently.
II. Greatness as defined by God.
A. Our text clearly spells out exactly how God defines greatness.
1. Jesus responds to the disciples by radically challenging and undermining their worldly values by using an illustration of a little child to teach a fundamental kingdom principle.
2. Jesus’ actions were not calculated to call attention to some innate quality within children, such as innocence, humility, or being teachable. Rather, it is the status of children as the “weakest, most vulnerable members of society” that is the focal point of Jesus’ illustration.
3. Children had no social clout or independent rights in the ancient world. They were utterly dependent on others for their livelihood and protection.
4. Children had no illusion of greatness or power according to worldly standards.
5. Jesus’ use of a child was to remind the disciples that in the kingdom greatness is measured by one’s own sense of vulnerability and helplessness, and ultimate dependency upon God.
B. Instead of embracing the world’s standards of greatness, Jesus challenges his disciples to change and become like little children.
1. This type of attitude is not at all natural; it involves a very radical change.
2. If we are to experience fully God’s reign, to exhibit a childlike indifference to worldly power and prestige is essential.
3. To become “humble” like a child is to understand that in the kingdom one’s security and sense of identity (“greatness”) are grounded not in human accomplishments or accolades, but in a relationship to God as Father.
4. Unlike the world which extends honor only to those possessing fame and power, in the kingdom the disciple emulates his/her Lord by welcoming the “least.”
5. All who are confident in their own kingdom standing should take stock. Is our confidence that of a child trusting the goodness of our Father, or is our confidence in ourselves?
C. Jesus is concerned that among his followers there be a sensitive regard for the vulnerability of others. It is a serious matter to contribute to the downfall of a fellow believer.
1. To illustrate the severity of God’s judgment upon one who causes another to fall, Jesus affirms that 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, than to be instrumental in causing a “little one” to fall.
2. Drowning at sea is to be preferred to the eschatological judgment that awaits the one who undermines the faith of those who believe in Jesus.
3. Jesus recognizes that in a fallen world numerous factors may contribute to the downfall of one of his disciples. Nevertheless, those who cause others to stumble will be held accountable.
4. Jesus’ language calls for drastic action so as to avoid sin of any kind. It is far better to suffer a self-imposed limitation in this life than to suffer the eternal loss of one’s very being.
5. Jesus provides the rationale for the commands of verses 1-9. We should humble ourselves and never cause others to sin because God never despises his people but rather is always concerned to go to great lengths to preserve them.
6. The world thinks children should be seen and not heard; God’s view is just the opposite.
7. Children are apparently so valuable that each as been assigned an angel for their safe keeping. These are not run of the mill angels but ones who have direct access to God’s throne.
III. A word for all those who aspire to be great in God’s eyes.
A. Stay in touch with children; see the qualities that make them so unique.
1. When we spend time with children we begin to see the things that God sees as valuable.
2. Consider some of the greatest qualities that are evident in children.
a. Innocence
b. The ability to wonder.
c. The capacity to forgive and forget.
d. The willingness and eagerness to learn.
e. The contentment to simply be yourself without needing to impress.
3. It has been said that the closest thing to heaven is a child. If that is true then children are to be treasured.
4. Staying in touch with them will help as gain a new appreciation of their value in God’s eyes.
B. Ask God to bless your life with some of the qualities found in children.
1. This requires us to let God deflate our egos.
2. To be able to display child-like qualities, we need to be released from our spirit of competition and the anxiety that comes with it.
3. God wants us to be deferring to Him, leaning on Him, listening to Him, trusting what He says, and yielding.
C. Give proper respect to all those who have been blessed with the ability to display all the qualities of children.
1. We must be kind to them, even the least of them, worth in God’s eyes have nothing to do with wealth or position.
2. Give them a listening ear; we can learn so much by talking less and listening more.
3. Smile at them share the joy you have with each other.
4. The most important thing is for you to give them your heart.
5. Really it is not a bad idea to try and recapture some of those childlike qualities that may have slipped away over the years. Because as you grow closer to children, you grow closer to God.
An incident from the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson goes a long way to showing Jesus’ lesson on the value of a child. Lyndon Johnson ranks among modern America’s most skillful manipulators of political power. Jack Valenti one of Johnson’s aides was attending a security council meeting with the President and other council members when Valenti’s wife and daughter stopped so the overworked aide could see them for a few minutes. When Johnson learned they were outside the room, he told Valenti to bring his daughter in. “I want to see her too.” When the door was opened and Courtenay spotted Johnson, she cried out, “Prez!” and ran into his arms. “Go ahead, Dean, continue your report,” Johnson said to his startled Secretary of State. Along with this memory, Valenti also treasures a photograph taken on another occasion of the President in his rocking chair in the Oval Office, surrounded by Senators Mansfield and Russell and other Senate leaders. By his side is five year old Courtenay, holding the president’s phone in her hand. “It’s a study in democracy,” Valenti concludes. It is for the Courtenays of America that Presidents and senators labor. In the final analysis is so the so called great ones are merely the servants of a rising generation.
