Greatness (Matthew 18:1-4)
"To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If not pretend you are." -- Muhammad Ali
"At home I am a nice guy: but I don't want the world to know. Humble people, I've found, don't get very far." -- Muhammad Ali
It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am. -- Muhammad Ali
These are all quotes from a famous boxer, but they also might be found on social media for inspiration. Don't these words summarize the philosophy of our culture? We will study a text today that teaches us how to be the greatest, but it tells us the exact opposite of what Muhammad Ali taught.
I would like for us to picture this scene. Twelve men have been discussing who they think will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Peter thinks it will surely be him, but all the other disciples saw Peter get chewed out in Chapter 16. James and John think that they could edge out Peter and make a run for the greatest. Matthew left a lucrative business to follow Jesus, and maybe he has made the most significant turnaround. But Simon was a Zealot, so maybe he is the most devoted to fighting against the Romans. Who knows what criteria Jesus will use to determine who is the greatest? After fighting about it for some time, they all agree to let Jesus settle the disagreement.
Doesn't this all sounds like typical guy stuff? I have seen guys spend tens of thousands of dollars to have the biggest truck or the fastest car. We want to be the greatest. I have seen women pay thousands of dollars and spend countless hours working on their looks so that they are the prettiest. I've seen both fights in the workplace to win promotions and stand out. Don't we all want to know the criteria our boss uses to determine who is the best?
I would like for us to consider three questions in our study this morning:
- What is the significance of being the greatest in the kingdom?
- Who does Jesus say will win that title?
- What does that mean for us?
Why Is This Important?
When we consider all that we have been studying about the kingdom of heaven, we can probably understand why the disciples are curious. What is the kingdom of heaven? According to Daniel's visions (Daniel 2, 7), the kingdom of heaven represents the kingdom that God would set up during Rome. This kingdom would be eternal, and it would rule over all of the earth. God, who correctly predicted the Mede and Persian, Greek, and Roman kingdoms, has promised to establish a more powerful, eternal kingdom over all the earth's kingdoms.
Daniel 7:13--14 (ESV) --- 13 "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
This is the kingdom that Matthew has in mind when he says, "kingdom of heaven." Jesus is the Son of Man who (as we saw in Revelation) will be given the rule over the earth's kingdoms. Ultimately, this is all about rule and control over the kingdoms of the earth.
So, if the disciples understand what is about to be set up, this is one of the most important questions they could ask. They are in a perfect position to be the most influential people in the world. If you are at the top of the disciples, you would be second in command. What possibilities might that open up for them? Can you blame them for being a little bit ambitious? These are simple people who are about to be exalted to positions of great power.
What would you do to rise to the top of that pile? Some of us might shrug our shoulders and say, "I'd just be happy to be on the team." But others would do or give anything to take that top spot. I know there are people here with incredible drive and tenacity. I've seen it. Imagine being that close to the glory of Vice President! Remember, Jesus has said he was about to die. Who is going to carry the torch?
Earlier, the disciples were told that the least in the kingdom of heaven would be greater than John the Baptist. Later, we will see James and John get their mother to speak to Jesus and ask to be at his right and left hand. They are pulling out all the stops.
Who Is Greatest?
Let's take a closer look at Jesus' response. The first thing that Jesus does is call a child over to put him amid his disciples. What would that look like? You have twelve grown men and one small boy right in the middle of them. Do you see how it would look like David among giants? This is what Jesus is saying to his disciples. If they want to be the greatest, they have to become the smallest in their own eyes.
Isn't this a hidden teaching in the world today? No one will come out and say it, but we value beauty, strength, and power. For years we have been taught that greatness is a matter of external appearance. Those who look the best and can do the most are the greatest. Might makes right, so the strongest makes the best leader material. Even the disciples have fallen into this trap. Notice that Jesus says, "Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
Think about this statement for a little bit. What a strong rebuke this is! Jesus is calling for his disciples to repent. What have they done wrong? What is their sin? They think highly of themselves. They are self-absorbed and selfishly ambitious. Each of them is hoping that they can be the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus says that they will never enter the kingdom of heaven if their attitude doesn't change.
Entering the kingdom of heaven has been brought up one other time in this gospel. Back in Chapter 5, Jesus said, "Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." That is a tall order, but we studied that last year. The scribes and Pharisees thought they were the most righteous because they kept external commands. They didn't have a heart that desired God's will. Remember, they would say, "Thou shalt not kill," but they would hate their neighbor and be extremely angry with them. They would say, "Thou shalt not commit adultery," but they would divorce their wives for any reason. They would lie, retaliate, do "righteous" deeds to be seen by men, and always pursue their glory. I imagine the disciples felt good about themselves when Jesus was bashing the religious leaders, but now they have become just like them. They are pursuing greatness with a selfish focus. Their hearts are not focused on the will of God. They need to be poor in spirit, meek, and mourning over their sins.
After saying that they are about to miss out on the kingdom, He says that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is not like Saul, who was head and shoulders above everyone else. He will not look like the greatest. The greatest is like a child. He appears weaker and lower than everyone else. He is like David, who had the humility and a desire to please God. That one will rely more heavily on God's power, and he or she will become more excellent than all the others.
What This Means For Us
What does all of this talk about entering and being the greatest in the kingdom of heaven have to do with us? Aren't we in the kingdom of the USA? Actually, Jesus is reigning over the USA. His kingdom is in power and control of the kingdoms of the earth today. Then, aren't we "in the kingdom?" Not necessarily. Roman citizens were throughout the kingdom of Rome, but not everyone was a Roman citizen.
In the same way, not all are citizens of his kingdom. The New Testament speaks about entering the kingdom, becoming citizens of the kingdom, and being translated into the kingdom. Let's look at these ideas a little deeper.
Philippians 3:18--21 (ESV) --- 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
If we want glory, real glory, we have to stop seeking it in this world. Right now, all of us are the owners of a lowly body. It doesn't matter how strong or beautiful we think we are. This body is nothing. But our lowly body can be transferred into the kingdom of Jesus. We can have our names written in the book of life. If we follow the example of Christ, who humbled himself while seeking the best for others, we can enter the kingdom. Then, Jesus will transform our lowly body into a glorious body like his. All those who are citizens of Jesus' kingdom will not see the appearance of greatness in this life.
How Do We Pursue Greatness?
This should change our attitudes. I have to stop comparing myself to others. How often do we like to think of ourselves as men amongst boys? We like to look down on others and think less of them, but Jesus wants us to esteem others more significant than ourselves (Philippians 2:1-8). He wants us to see our abilities and wisdom as insignificant so that we aren't blinded by pride. One of my favorite texts is Isaiah 55. It points out the primary obstacle to salvation as being pride. We have to overcome our pride and submit to God. He is great. I am not.
Isaiah 55:8--9 (ESV) --- 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
In our pursuit of greatness, we have to let go of our thoughts and our ways. They don't work. Jesus set the example for greatness by drawing near to God and serving mankind. He did not serve himself or seek to glorify himself. He was the king of the earth, and men treated him like a peasant. Men taxed the Son of God. Men called the Son of God, a demon-possessed worker of Satan. He didn't scream at them. He didn't defend himself. He spoke the truth and tried to help mankind see the truth so that they might be saved.
As we feel an attitude that wants to exalt our ways and thoughts, Jesus is encouraging us to fight against that. We are going to have lots of opinions about how things should be done. It would be detrimental for us to fight and bicker with one another.
If someone wants to devote their money, their time, their stuff, or their lives to Christ and serve everyone others, I better not quench their flame so that I look a little brighter. Fan that flame and help it grow brighter. I love the words of Paul in Romans 12.
Romans 12:9--18 (ESV) --- 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Conclusion
I hope these words encourage you to encourage others. This is the mark of God's people. They love and honor all. They outdo one another in showing honor. That means I want you to receive more glory than me! Ultimately, we do this because we have faith in the promises of God. God promises more glory than we could ever muster on earth. I want this to be firmly fixed in our minds. That's why I bought a banner with this verse for the foyer.
Isaiah 55:12 (ESV) --- 12 "For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
We need this verse to remind us that the glory God bestows is a million times better than any glory I can create for me. If we can focus on serving God and serving others, he will take care of the rest.