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The theme for our reflection is who is the greatest? The greatest means the foremost and most important in status or rank. Among all the things in the world and the teachings Jesus had taken them through, the disciples decided to debate on the topic of who is the greatest in the Kingdom of God. I guess they disagreed with one another on the issue and came to Jesus for the final determination of the matter or issue at hand. At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
² He called a little child to him and placed the child among them. ³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:1-5)

Beloved in the Lord, in ancient Israel and I believe even in our current dispensation or societies a child has no status or rank in society although they may have rights. A person without status or rank is usually not respected in society. He or she is overlooked and usually is not invited or expected to be at places or events meant for important people or very important people (VIP). In God’s kingdom, we do not have very important people or personalities (VIP). In God’s Kingdom, there are very important little ones(VILO) or very important servants (VIS), It is for this reason that when the disciples prevented children from being brought to Jesus to touch and bless them, Jesus saw it and became “indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. ¹⁵ Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (Mark 10:14-16). Beloved in the Lord to become relevant and important in the Kingdom of God we must become like children without any status or rank in society. We must totally come to Jesus without our earthly acquired status and self-importance which are the sources of our ego and pride. Usually, the worldly statuses, ranks and positions we have acquired through our academic and professional qualifications and certificates can be the reason why we may not be willing to accept or embrace the Gospel wholly and accept Jesus Christ. A person without a status or rank has nothing to lose but some people who have acquired worldly status, power and wealth think they have everything to lose when it comes to being obedient to Jesus like little children. It is for this reason, Jesus told the self-righteous rich young man that “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ²² When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. ²³ And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:21-24) Jesus was simply telling this rich young man that worldly status, position and wealth are only useful so long as we live on this earth but one who is determined to be entered the Kingdom of God and be counted as great must not clinch to worldly status, position and wealth but rather become like a little child in Matthew 18:3.

Dear friend in Christ, it is rather unfortunate that some of us have allowed pride and the obsession with social status to cloud our minds to the extent that when we go to church our aim is to fight for positions and not pay attention to the very reason for going to Chruch, that listening to the Word of God and focusing on our salvation. Some people are always hungry for positions everywhere they go, to the extent that they try to even buy status and ecclesiastical or church positions with money and material influence. In fact, the Church has often fallen into the temptation of making people leaders simply because of their status, position and wealth in society. In some Churches, if you don’t have a social status or you are not wealthy you will hardly be considered for leadership positions or chairmanship on Church boards and committees. Unfortunately, this development is condoned by Church leaders. Can we begin to select people who will work for God because they have become like children regardless of their wealth and social status? How many wealthy people with high positions in society or at their workplaces would like to take the role of an usher in the church. How many would like to come and sweep the church premise and clean the pews for others to come and use for worship? In God’s Kingdom and in the Church of Christ, we are all equal in status as believers regardless of our social networks, businesses and political affiliations and position in society. We are all servants of the Lord!

To become the greatest in the Kingdom of God, Jesus teaches us to be humble and obedient without being obsessed with social status and pride, it is for this reason, He says “…whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. (Matthew 18:4-5). Beloved in the Lord, we must learn to treat people with respect and dignity, especially those without any status in society. The Church must be the place where the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless will eat from one plate and sit together to worship. When we all take the lowly position of a child everyone will be warmly welcome to the Church but if some of us are going to be egoistic and filled with pride because of temporary social statuses that we have acquired then we shall be preventing others from coming to worship at the feet of the Lord. Jesus warns us that “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6). Let us be careful we do not turn people away from Jesus in the Church because of our pride and obsession with power and status. Some of us are so full of pride or arrogance because of our worldly acquired status or position and when we come to Church we make others feel less important or insignificant. Our speech and attitude towards other members of the Church are insulting and demeaning. Our pride and attitude can turn people away from the Church. These are people Jesus refers to as “these little ones”. Why are they “little ones”, it is because they have become like little children so that they can be humble, obedient and serve the Lord. Beloved in the Lord, have you made yourself a little child in the house of God and wherever you find yourself as a believer? Are people leaving your congregation or church because of your pride and dismissive behaviour as a pastor, catechist, presbyter, elder or group leader? As a believer, does your pride and ego get in the way of other people who also come to fellowship or worship? Jesus warns us not to be the reason for “these little ones” leaving the church because of our egocentric and arrogant behaviours. He says “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! (Matthew 18:7) Do definitely don’t want to be the reason for someone missing heaven, right?

Beloved in the Lord, Jesus who is the King of Kings and our Lord shows us how we can become the greatest in the Kingdom of God when he washed the feet of the disciples. After he washed their feet he said to them “Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:12-17. Beloved in the Lord, let us become like little children in the house of God and serve one another in total humility and obedience to God regardless of our academic certificates, status, rank and wealth in society. Jesus again reminds us that “The greatest among you shall be your servant. ¹² Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11-12) May we become like little children and be found worthy of the Kingdom of God. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, strengthen us to remain like “little children” wherever we find ourselves and may our greatness be found in service, humility and obedience to God. Amen.