Smoodock's Blog

Sometimes, as we read the accounts of Jesus’ public ministry in the Bible, we arrive at the conclusion that the disciples often missed Jesus’ point, and undoubtedly this is true. However, such a judgment on our part assumes we do get it, but we, probably, don’t, not always. How can I say this, and in doing so, am I setting myself up as the judge of all? I don’t think so, but the reader may judge for himself whether or not this is the case.

Although Jesus told his disciples that their positions in the Kingdom of God were not at all like the authority held in the kingdoms of the gentiles (Mark 10:42-43), three times during Jesus’ public ministry his disciples made the mistake of assuming the Kingdom of God was very much like the kingdoms of men (Matthew 18:1; 20:21; Luke 22:24). Even after it was all over, and just prior to their receiving the Holy Spirit, they still looked to the physical manifestation of God’s Kingdom (Acts 1:6). How different, then, is our own understanding, when we look for the same to appear at some future coming of Christ?

In a future coming of Christ, wherein we sit with him in a “physical” manifestation of his power or authority (viz. Revelation 3:21), what positions do we assume we would be given in such a context? Are not those positions or offices similar to those held in this world’s kingdoms? If not, how would we serve in a physical manifestation of the Kingdom of God? The fact is, in my opinion, there is no such position as the “greatest” in the Kingdom of God. The whole idea, according to Jesus, is to serve.

According to Mark, who offers us the largest account of the incident mentioned in Matthew 18:1, Jesus’ disciples were ashamed to ask him who among themselves was the greatest disciple (Mark 9:33-34). The fact is, they disputed among themselves ‘who was the greatest’ as they returned to Galilee from Jerusalem, and it was Jesus who brought up the subject, once they returned to “the house” in Capernaum. Therefore, a better rendering of the text at Matthew 18:1 is: “Who, then, is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Such a rendering would assume something was said prior to the question.

How should Jesus reply to a question that has no place in the Kingdom of God? Worldviews are very troublesome, if they must be changed, because misunderstanding runs rampant. Jesus’ position in such a context is like the counsel of the wise man:

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit (Proverbs 26:4-5).

The first part of the text: “Answer not a fool…” is how Jesus replied to the questions of the Jewish authorities, because they weren’t really looking for the truth. However, the second part of the text above “Answer a fool…” is how Jesus replied to his disciples, because, although they didn’t get it, they really were seeking the truth. Therefore, to answer their question, Jesus called to himself a little child, probably one of the disciples’ own children, and he set the little one in their midst and told them that, unless they completely reversed their understanding of the matter, they wouldn’t even **enter** the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18:2-3), thus, making “the greatest” a moot point! In other words, their whole approach to following Jesus was wrong! Yes, they believed he was the Messiah (Matthew 16:16), but they had no idea what that meant (cp. Matthew 16:22; John 12:34).

Jesus’ conclusion was, ‘unless his disciples would become like a little child, they couldn’t even enter the Kingdom. So, if greatness is one’s desire, then he must become as a child (Matthew 18:4). Is there such a thing as a “greatest” child? Aren’t children simply children? Is any child more a child than another? No! he is simply a child. His whole attitude or demeanor is one of a child. His world is full of discovery and willingness to commit himself to the adventure of learning and living it all out.

Therefore, anyone who receives such a disciple receives Jesus, himself (Matthew 18:5-6). However, if anyone offends a disciple, as Jesus describes him, vis-à-vis one who has a childlike demeanor, so that he no longer approaches the Kingdom with the same attitude, it would be better for the one who caused this, if he were not alive, because to continue to live would only bring more and more judgment (Matthew 18:5-6).