Smoodock's Blog

Jesus had an “unflashy” beginning, vis-à-vis no vacancy sign at the inn, born in a stable (Luke 2:7), the kings of the earth were unaware of his presence (Matthew 2:2), exiled to a foreign land (Matthew 2:13), and considered by most to be a mamzer, vis-à-vis illegitimate and unable to inherit (Matthew 1:18-19). On the other hand, the expectations of the coming of the Messiah were of a grandiose nature. He was to be the King (Matthew 2:2), and he was expected to return Israel to her former glory (Acts 1:6), a hero, if you will, who could never be killed (John 12:34)!

The actual coming of Jesus into the world was a glaring contradiction of what Israel expected. They were promised a Messiah like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15), so naturally they expected him to put down and defeat the great, like Moses did to Pharaoh and Egypt. Shouldn’t he do the same to Rome? They expected a great physical deliverance, like passing through the Red Sea, which saved them and destroyed the enemy’s armies, pursuing them. However, what should be done, when the expected thing isn’t the real thing? What does one do with a hero who dies before he does what folks expect? What kind of Messiah is that (John 12:32-34)? Why did he come, if he doesn’t do what’s expected of messiahs? Where’s the sense in it all?

Even today many Christians believe, “Okay, it’s true that Jesus’ first coming wasn’t very flashy, but wait until the Second Coming! Then, folks will see what he’s all about!” I have to wonder, though, what difference current Christian opinion has from first century Jewish opinion. Both want to put Jesus in a physical Jerusalem, on a physical throne after destroying the enemies of God’s children. Was this why Jesus, the Messiah, was sent?

It would seem that the world’s understanding and the erring church’s understanding of the little ones is that they aren’t powerful enough or important enough to consider their welfare, but Jesus claimed that would be a big mistake (Matthew 18:10). Consider, for example, that the angel, who was in charge of guiding and protecting Persia, had no idea that he was doing wrong by keeping the angel, who was sent by God in answer to Daniel’s prayer, from completing his mission (Daniel 10:1-2, 12-14). Yet, the angels, who are responsible for the guidance and protection of the little ones, are the most important of all. They are those who sit in God’s presence (Matthew 18:10).

Consider, for example, the Queen of Sheba praised those servants who continually beheld Solomon’s face and experienced instances of his wisdom (1Kings 10:8). They were the most important of all Solomon’s servants. Moreover, the seven princes who sat in the presence of the King of Persia shared in the king’s decision making (Esther 1:13-21). So, how much more important in the eyes of God are the little ones, if his most important angels are the guides and protectors, not of the great nations of the world, who aren’t familiar with their Lord’s daily decisions (Daniel 10:13), but are the guides and protectors of the little ones, who are so easily despised by others?

Therefore, Jesus told his disciples to consider why he, the Messiah, was sent into the world. It certainly wasn’t to protect and guide the great nations of the world, for the then current understanding of his Messianic office was that he would come to guide, defend and protect Israel. Everyone was looking for that kind of Messiah, the messiah who never dies (John 12:34), but Jesus claimed he wasn’t their messiah (cp. John 12:32). Instead, he was sent for the protection, guidance and defense of the little ones (Matthew 18:11)!