Who is the Greatest?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
. Jesus is talking about what the church of the kingdom of God should look like.
Sermon Prep
Matthew, Volumes 1 & 2 Matthew 18 in the Flow of the Gospel
Jesus’ fourth great discourse, chapter 18, describes life in the community of disciples. Jesus says the marks of his community are humility, concern for the weak, and zeal for reconciliation when we offend each other.
Scheduled: Aug 19, 2019 at 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM
In this context (Jesus talking about what it means to be a part of his community of disciples, he shows us that humility instead of comparison is the key to greatness according to the kingdom of heaven.
Literary Context:
? The disciples see Jesus as more powerful than the kings of the earth when he makes a shekel appear miraculously in the mouth of a fish. The disciples see that someone more powerful than the kings of the earth is in their midst…but their faith is too small and they are without understanding. Their idea of power or greatness is skewed. They’ve been confused by Jesus’ talk of going to the cross and dying (cf. 16:21-23), mixed with the mountain-top experience of the Transfiguration (17:1-13). Their idea of Jesus is too small. Jesus IS greater than all other kings, but he uses his power in a completely different way. He humbles himself like a child in complete dependence upon his Father. Instead of lording it over others with burdensome taxation, He humbles himself and becomes a servant of all…ultimately in dying for them on the cross.
The disciples see Jesus as more powerful than the kings of the earth when he makes a shekel appear miraculously in the mouth of a fish. The disciples see that someone more powerful than Caesar is in their midst…but their faith is too small and they are without understanding. Their idea of power or greatness is skewed. They’ve been confused by Jesus’ talk of going to the cross and dying (cf. 16:21-23), mixed with the mountain-top experience of the Transfiguration (17:1-13). Their idea of Jesus is too small. Jesus IS greater than Caesar, but he uses his power in a completely different way. He humbles himself like a child in complete dependence upon his Father. Instead of lording it over others with burdensome taxation, He humbles himself and becomes a servant of all…ultimately in dying for them on the cross.
In the context of Jesus talking about the “kings of the earth” exacting tax and lording their power over others (vv. 17:24-27).
Sometimes Jesus doesn’t directly answer people’s questions. He answers in confusing parables or with a question of his own. But this scene is not like that. He takes a child and places him in the midst of the disciples as hard evidence and a direct answer.
Also, end of ch. 17, we see how Jesus uses his power - he isn’t obligated to pay the temple tax because he is the incarnate God. The temple which signifies God’s presence on earth is no longer valid. But so not to give offense, he decides NOT to use his power to lord it over others and instead makes light of the situation by having money appear in the mouth of a fish.
Can talk about the parallel accounts of this passage: and .
COR: Capernaum - hometown of the Matthew, the tax collector, Peter, Andrew, James and John (all fishermen); fishing town on the north end of the sea of Galilee; Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law there; the center of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and where Jesus’ ministry began (cf. ).
Jesus is no longer doing public ministry in Capernaum. He formally cursed this city because they didn’t believe in him despite the “mighty works” that he had done there (cf. ).
FCF: Our idea/pursuit of greatness is backwards. We compare ourselves to others (in order to justify our greatness to God) and relate to one another based on status instead of acknowledging our lowliness, humbling ourselves before God and trusting in our relationship with God to define who we are.
Big Idea/Big Question: Instead of comparing ourselves to others or attempting to accrue power in order to lord it over others, we must be changed (by God) so that we become like children. // Who are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Answer 1 - Those who listen to his voice
Answer 2 - Those he carries in his arms
Answer 3 - Those who
Questions:
What is “the kingdom of heaven”? (v.3)What does it mean to “become like a child”? (v.3) I will have to talk about how children were viewed in Jesus’ time (and ours). They’re a nuisance. A barrier to our upward mobility.In 18:5, is Jesus referring to the disciples when he says, “one such child”? Who is he referring to? Varies among the commentators. How is Jesus “becoming like a child” in or the book in general? Vv. 17:5 “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Thoughts:
? The disciples are likely discouraged because they know they will never be able to enjoy the benefits of being blood related to the kings of the earth. But we can be sons of the king of the universe who is king of kings and Lord of lords. The disciples are tempted to abuse this power, they’ve seen Jesus transfigured, they’ve seen him heal people with demons, they know that he possesses power.
? The disciples see Jesus as more powerful than the kings of the earth when he makes a shekel appear miraculously in the mouth of a fish. The disciples see that someone more powerful than the kings of the earth is in their midst…but their faith is too small and they are without understanding. Their idea of power or greatness is skewed. They’ve been confused by Jesus’ talk of going to the cross and dying (cf. 16:21-23), mixed with the mountain-top experience of the Transfiguration (17:1-13). Their idea of Jesus is too small. Jesus IS greater than all other kings, but he uses his power in a completely different way. He humbles himself like a child in complete dependence upon his Father. Instead of lording it over others with burdensome taxation, He humbles himself and becomes a servant of all…ultimately in dying for them on the cross.
? Sometimes Jesus doesn’t directly answer people’s questions. He answers in confusing parables or with a question of his own. But this scene is not like that. He takes a child and places him in the midst of the disciples as hard evidence and a direct answer.
Children are defined by who they belong to and what their last name is, but men in the west are defined by what he makes of himself and what he does.
Children are defined by who they belong to and what their last name is, but men in the west are defined by what he makes of himself and what he does.
A safe child feels held and collected within the authority structures of his or her parents. The man in the west is wary of any authority structures that tell him who he should be or what he should do. We like to hear that we can be anything that we want to be. But the only thing that can get in our way is our own imagination or willingness.
vv. 5-6. Jesus is talking about children in vv. 1-4 but suddenly begins referring to his disciples as “little ones.” If anyone messes with the Father’s little ones then there are grave consequences. We are God’s “little ones,” which means it’s not up to us to scratch and claw for power or relentlessly climb the corporate ladder. Our significance, our greatness comes not from what we do, our accolades, or who we possess power over - our greatness comes from who we belong to.
Notes on the Greek:
Notes on the Greek:
προσκαλεσάμενος is in the middle voice. Jesus calls the child “to him.”
προσκαλεσάμενος
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition Chapter 18
παιδίον
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition Chapter 18
παιδίον
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition Chapter 18
παιδίον
paidion is neuter “he or she.”