Who is the Greatest?

March 20, 2022

A very human question, indeed the first desire of Adam and every man with

the exception of Jesus Christ. We have been burdened forever by our

concern for self-exaltation. In Matthew 18, the first disciples of our Lord

were overpowered by their sinful flesh to ask, “Who is the greatest in the

kingdom of heaven?” They did not think it an unnatural question because it

is nothing but natural. However, it is not very spiritual nor can it ever be

Christ-like; so, his response was to invite a little child to be seated in their

midst. After doing this our Lord speaks, “Except ye be converted and

become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven”

(Matthew 18:3). Forbidding fellowship in his kingdom (the true church) to

all who are concerned with self-aggrandizement. Our Lord invites only those

who humble themselves as ‘little children’ and describes such as the

‘greatest in his kingdom’ (Matthew 18:4). To offend one of these little ones

will bring damnation, Jesus says. In this context the word offend simply

means to slander, or to speak evil toward, such humble persons. This

behavior betrays an attitude of the heart that is totally inconsistent with the

spirit of Christ and must be cut off (Matthew 18:8). In this same discussion,

Jesus gives motivation for us not to despise these humble ones “because in

heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in

heaven” (Matthew 18:10). They have an angel, he says, speaking to God

always on their behalf. This is a good reason for us not to slander any of

God’s children, because they have a messenger speaking to God always. Our

Lord here gives a parable regarding the ninety and nine who were safe and

the one sheep that was lost. He wants us to care like he did for the ‘one’ that

was lost because that was His purpose, “to seek and to save the lost” and not

to seek self-exaltation. Our Lord rejoiced over one sinner that repented more

than over ninety-nine who were safe. Therefore, we should not slander the

little one if we expect to be great in the kingdom of Christ. It is time to serve

not slander.

Dr. Kenneth E. Morrison