Matthew 18:1-6, Who is the Greatest

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Comments

Chapter 18 begins the fourth major section of Jesus’ teachings. This section concerns the relationships between followers of Jesus and how they treat one another. While human societies treat the issue of rank seriously, God’s society is to be distinctly different. Taking a child, a person of no importance in Jewish society, Jesus illustrated a radical reorientation from “who’s on top.” It is not that Christians become childlike, it is that we have the status of a child. True importance in the kingdom is in being little, insignificant, and unimpressive. To become humble is to accept an inferior position as Jesus did, something the world (and seemingly many Christians) cannot understand.

Jesus warns that any disciple who causes a fellow disciple to stumble by his attitude, action, or failure to act, brings judgment upon himself. It would be better to suffer a quick drowning than the judgment that is coming.

Prayer

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(BCP, p. 280)