Who is Greatest?

The temple tax was levied on all Jewish males so that the priests serving in Jerusalem had the resources to continue offerings and the associated worship practices.

Jesus’ followers were distressed hearing that Jesus would be betrayed…and likely wondered which one of them it would be.

They were unsettled because if they were hearing Jesus correctly, then the temple would no longer have a purpose. Yet Jesus performs a miracle to pay His and Peter’s tax.

So, ‘Who is the Greatest?’ Who is the G.O.A.T.?

Jesus’ answer has several important parts:

Child-Like Faith

In the midst of a group of people Jesus saw a child -we have no idea how old this child might have been, or to which family the child belonged.

What matters for Jesus is first, the child came to Jesus when called.

This child demonstrated a trust in Jesus simply by going to Him when He asked.

Second, Jesus uses the simple obedience and trust of the child to call out what matters most in the kingdom of God: simple, child-like trust.

Only those who abandon all claim to their own power, greatness, ability, strength and so on will be able to enter and experience the kingdom of God.

Yet Jesus issues a second challenge to greatness:

Receiving those whom God receives

Peter will later in his life fully grasp this. Listen to his own account,

Acts 10:34–38 HCSB

Then Peter began to speak: “Now I really understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him. He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all. You know the events that took place throughout Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the Devil, because God was with Him.

Indeed, if God receives even the ‘unclean’ and outcast ‘Gentile,’ then what choice do A those in the kingdom have except to open wide their arms and hearts and receive them just as God does in Christ.

The Value of Child-Like Belief Matthew 18:6-9

A second layer of greatness requires not just acceptance but moves one into an aggressive stance of protection.

A ‘little one’ literally means one who is of no significance, no stature (think Zaccheus), of no importance (think of Lazarus, the beggar lying at the driveway of a rich man).

Carefully note how Jesus defines ‘greatness:’

The issue in these harsh words is not Jesus’ hope of torturing those who cause children to stumble.

The issue is this: how deep is our love for the ‘little’ one, the insignificant, those who appear to have no economic or social value?

To what length will we go to protect and serve those who can truly do nothing for us, those who can truly have no direct impact on us? one out of one hundred Matthew 18:10-14

One out of One Hundred

Jesus calls His followers who are seeking greatness to consider a dilemma.

Jesus reminds His audience that though they may dismiss children, God is fully aware of them - one scholar suggests:

the most satisfactory interpretation of this passage in light of ancient Jewish ways of speaking would refer to guardian angels....

Craig S. Keener, The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009), 451.

The value of one cannot be exaggerated. Since God knows when sparrows fall, should we be surprised that He is fully aware of each and every individual - even those whose status and stature indicate a lack of value?

To illustrate the compassion of God and to call His followers to a radical commitment Jesus tells a parable:

Matthew 18:12–14 HCSB

What do you think? If a man has 100 sheep, and one of them goes astray, won’t he leave the 99 on the hillside and go and search for the stray? And if he finds it, I assure you: He rejoices over that sheep more than over the 99 that did not go astray. In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones perish.

An average size flock in the first century would consist of around 100 sheep.

The responsibility of the shepherd is to care for each one,

to guard the entire flock from predatory animals,

to insure that all the flock are properly nourished,

and that all the flock are returned to the owner in full, robust health.

If one sheep wandered away the shepherd had a dilemma. Should he leave the 99? What might happen to the 99 if the shepherd seeks after the one?

Jesus answers the question:

Matthew 18:14 HCSB

In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones perish.

The G.O.A.T. and the Child

Remember this commercial:

Matthew 18:3–5 (HCSB)

“I assure you,” He said, “unless you are converted (turn) and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one child like this in My name welcomes Me.

Child-like faith:

Turn away from self and to Jesus

Lexham Survey of Theology (Conversion)

In Christian conversion, someone orients his or her life on a different course, turning away from sin (repentance) and turning toward Christ in trust and commitment (faith). It involves a change of allegiance from sin, self, and Satan to Christ.

…become like a child -

Total trust:

Every-time my granddaughters got in a vehicle, they exhibited absolute trust in their parents - that the their parents knew where to go, how to get there, and how to keep them safe...

John 14:1–3 HCSB

“Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.

Fearlessness::

When did we arrive at the place where we are afraid to do something we have never done before?

Hebrews 11:8 HCSB

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going.

Honesty

Children are remarkably honest - when did we determine that we have to hide certain parts of who we are to be accepted?

Worthy:

Matthew 10:29–31 HCSB

Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.

What is keeping you from fully trusting Jesus today?

Will you wait on the Lord long enough that He might make His character known to you - that your life then reflects His character?

What is keeping you from allowing God to rescue you if you have gone astray?

Philip Keller, in his book, A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm writes:

“it is almost impossible for [sheep] to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met.

Owing to their timidity, they refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear.

Because of the social behavior within a flock sheep will not lie down unless they are free from friction with others of their kind.

Only when free of pests [parasites, flies, etc…) will sheep lie down.

Lastly, sheep will not lie down as long as they feel in need of finding food.

Philip Keller, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (A Special CRUSADE EDITION: Minneapolis, MN.: World Wide Publications, 1970), 35.

There is much to cause distress and confusion in our world, but we have a shepherd who will provide for us, search after us, and one who has laid down His life that we might live...