There was a family party, and Grandma was so happy to see all her grandchildren present there. Her oldest had just made the football team, another had straight A’s on her report card, still another was voted president of her freshman class. Then, in the midst of the party noise, little six-year old Sarah, her youngest grandchild, ran over, jumped in her lap and said, “I miss you Grandma.”
Which was the greatest in Grandma’s eyes? They were all great, and she was proud of their amazing accomplishments, yet, Sarah brought the most joy to her heart.
Jesus spent part of his ministry on earth training men to lead the Church after he died. They were typical, ambitious, self-seeking men. James and John were open about wanting to have a high ranking in Jesus’ Kingdom. It seemed, however, that since Jesus gave Peter “the keys,” he was greatest. With this in mind, Jesus opened up a discussion with them (Matthew 18:1-5,10,12-14).
“Who is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
Looking around at one another, the apostles wondered which of them Jesus had in mind.
“He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, ‘Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.”
Whoa! “Will not enter?” Being followers of Jesus, these disciples assumed they “had it made.” They assumed they were already in the Kingdom of heaven; it was now a question of who would be greateset, once admitted. He confronted these “big men,” and told them they didn’t qualify for the Kingdom because they hadn’t yet “become like children.”
He elaborated.
“Whoever becomes humble like this child is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus answered his own question. Greatness in God’s mind was being like little Sarah who loved to be close to Grandma and show love to her. While the other grandchildren were basking in the glory of their own achievements, Sarah was thinking about Grandma and how much she loved her.
Power, might, and achievement mean little to God. One angel can do more than a whole army of men. He does not need powerful people on earth to help establish his Kingdom here; rather he needs “childlike” daughters and sons who will keep coming to him and showing him their love. That’s God’s definition of “great.”
Then Jesus became practical.
“And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”
The disciples saw how Jesus smiled and stretched out his arms to little children. That’s the way they were to be. “In my name” meant that they were Jesus’ representatives on earth, and that people would experience Jesus by watching them. Knowing that each child has a guardian angel watching over her, they were to love and reverence children accordingly.
We know that these proud men were humbled at the time of Jesus’ arrest and death. They had to look at their own pride and weakness face to face, and became as scared little children who needed God’s mercy and help.
Daily we make choices. Let it be our top priority to be like Sarah and run into the Father’s arms and tell him how much we love him. That is the greatest work we can do on this earth.
“Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Matthew 11:29)
