Week 5: Jesus the Son of Man
Matthew 18:1-6, Mark 9:33-37, Luke 9:46-48, Luke 22:24-30
After being sent out and returning to Jesus later, the twelve disciples break into argument, trying to decide who they think the “greatest” is. I’m sure they thought of great options, like the one with the most money, the largest flock of sheep, or maybe they even mentioned Jesus Himself. But to their likely surprise, Jesus takes a child into His arms and says, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:4).
Despite our mostly beloved view of children in today’s age, during the time Jesus declared those humble like children as the greatest, it was also the time children were viewed with low social status. It would be shocking to the disciples that the child, the one viewed as property to be sold, sacrificed, enslaved, or rejected, would be deemed in a worthy manner. Jesus intentionally shifts the narrative by highlighting the intrinsic value of children, and even more so those in humble positions subject to the rule of authority. Children ranked low, and I’m sure many desired to leave their childhood behind to increase in societal value; Jesus says otherwise.
In Luke 22:27, Jesus says, “But I am among you as the one who serves”, willingly taking the humble position Himself. Despite every right to accept a position of authority or power, Jesus enters the world without glamour and maintains a lowly position throughout His days. So to silence their argument, Jesus tells the disciples to stop seeking their own greatness, but accept humble insignificance, dependence, and vulnerability, just like a child. Instead of trying to carve an idol of yourself, rejoice in your neediness, rejoice in the truth that Jesus took the lowly position and our Father sent the Spirit to aid us in our lack.
