In the heart of human nature lies a
persistent yearning for prominence, a quest for power and recognition. Even
among those following the path of Christ, the allure of greatness can sometimes
overshadow the true essence of discipleship. In Matthew 18:1-5,10,12-14, Jesus
confronts this human inclination head-on, offering us a profound challenge to
our understanding of greatness, significance and purposed driven life.
The disciples, caught in the worldly
pursuit of superiority, ask Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven?” Their question reveals a mindset rooted in competition rather than
service. In response, Jesus performs a seemingly simple yet revolutionary act:
he places a child in their midst. It is in this innocent, vulnerable being that
he unveils the kingdom’s true measure of greatness. Jesus fully lived what he
is teaching us here. In Him, God humbled Himself, became an infant in Nazareth,
and shared our humanity in all things except sin. Jesus elaborated on his
teaching here during the Last Supper with His disciples during which he washing
their feet and instituted the Eucharist. His message can be captured by his
statement: “I am among you as the One who serves.” (Luke 22:27). Thus,
Jesus teaches us that greatness lies in humble service rendered to others in
line with his teachings.
The question of the disciples became an
opportunity for Jesus to teach us the condition for entering the Kingdom of
God: “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you
will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this
child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
These words are radically opposed to worldly wisdom. Jesus is
not advocating for childishness but for the qualities embodied by children:
humility, trust, and a sense of wonder.
To enter the kingdom, we must shed our pride and embrace a childlike
dependence on God, our Father. We must become like the little ones, open to
learning, devoid of pretense, and utterly reliant on God. Seeing God as a
Father radically changes our relationship with Him and others. He will no
longer be seen as a God who look at us with judgmental eyes but One who loves and cares for us.
Jesus further emphasizes the value of the
“least” among us. He likens them to a lost sheep, for whom the Good Shepherd
leaves the ninety-nine to search tirelessly. The angels of these little ones
constantly behold the face of God. Their significance in the eyes of Heaven is
immeasurable. “So, it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one
of these little ones should perish,” says the Lord.
This declaration is a solemn reminder of
the infinite worth of every human soul. It is a call to action, urging us to
protect, care for, and advocate for the poor and vulnerable. This is an urgent
call in the face of cases of child abuse, and lost children. To harm or neglect
even one of these precious ones is to grieve the heart of God.
In essence, Jesus inverts the world’s
hierarchy. The last shall be the first, and the humble shall be exalted. James
4:6 says that “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humbled.” True greatness lies not in power or prestige
but in love, service and humility. It is found in embracing the marginalized,
defending the innocent, and becoming like children in our reliance on God.
Let us heed Jesus’ words and strive to
embody the spirit of children whose angels are worshiping God unceasingly. May
we find in their innocence a mirror reflecting our own transformation, bearing
in mind that “blessed are the pure in spirit, for they shall see God”. May we become instruments of God’s love,
extending compassion and care to all, especially the least among us. For in
doing so, we truly become great in the kingdom of heaven.
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