New: 30 January 2025
Greatness in the
Kingdom of God
Matthew 18
Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:4
Question
What is greatness in the Kingdom of God?
Context
It's a well-known story. Jesus was asked by His disciples, 'Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' (Matthew 18:1). To answer the question, Jesus used a small child to illustrated that greatness in the kingdom of God is of a different nature than greatness according to the world's standards, just as He emphasised that servanthood in leadership is God's way, in contrast to the arrogant and exploitative rulership of Gentiles over their subjects (Mark 10:42-45). So how do we define true greatness according to the values and standards of God's kingdom?
Answer
The beautiful illustration of the humility of a child to explain the nature of greatness in God's kingdom was striking (Matthew 18:2-4). Perhaps even more striking was the stern warning that followed, about not making a child to stumble by offence (v 6). The humility of children has the greatest of value and violating their innocence is a terrible sin.* Humility has always been a key emphasis in the Word of God (e.g., Deuteronomy 8:1-3; Proverbs 18:12; 1 Peter 5:1-7). In fact, God chose the Israelites because they were 'the fewest of all peoples' (Deuteronomy 7:7-8), i.e., a humble people and in need of His saving grace in covenant faithfulness. The man humbling himself in an honest and genuine way and being justified in prayer because of his humility (Luke 18:8-14), was another striking illustration of humility, followed by the exhortation of being humble like a child in order to enter God's kingdom (vv 15-17). In contrast, trusting in your wealth, often associated with pride (vv 18-30), won't cut it in God's kingdom. God's standards are simply different from the world's standards. Worldly things will pass away, but those who live according to God's will, will abide forever (1 John 2:15-17). The world with its pride and boasting is contrasted with the humility required in the kingdom of God.
Another striking example to illustrate the importance of humility was Jesus speaking of being invited to an important event. It's better to take the lowly seat and be exalted, rather than to exalt yourself and suffer the shame of public humiliation (Luke 14:7-10). He spoke these wise words reagrding those who seek out 'the places of honour' for themselves (v 7). The conclusion is that the humble will be exalted, yet the proud degraded (v 11). Such wisdom goes back to the instruction of king Solomon (Proverbs 25:6-7). Even the most successful business leaders would rather employ a person with an IQ of 130 yet who thinks his is 120, rather than a guy with an IQ of a 140 but who thinks he has one of a 160. Humility and knowing your true capacity are crucial in life. Paul exhorted the believers to not think more highly of themselves as is appropriate (Romans 12:3). A healthy self-assessment is vital in all aspects of life. Pride goes before the fall, but with humility comes honour (Proverbs 16:18; 18:12).
Jesus illustrated this important principle further by the contrast of the Gentile (worldly) rulers who exploit their subjects with the way His disciples as leaders should treat the people under their care (Mark 10:42-43; cf., 1 Peter 5:1-6). Jesus Himself gave them His own example of serving rather than being served, and paying the ultimate price: death for the ransom of others (v 45). His disciples and future leaders of the faith communities were not to be like worldly rulers, but rather like their servant-leader Master: those who wish to be first should serve (v 44). This illustration came in response to two of His disciples arguing over greatness in the Kingdom and seeking positions of power (vv 35-37). It upset the other ten (v 41), but perhaps they, too, had such ambitions (cf., Luke 22:24-30). In context, Jesus made clear that God the Father, King of the universe, would assign positions of authority (Mark 10:40), and this in relation to one's sacrifices for others (vv 38-39), which is the ultimate expression of humility. Serving in humility is the way of the kingdom.
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*We must note here that the arrogance of spoiled children in some societies today, who have lost all respect for their parents, was not the norm at that time of Jesus on earth.
Do not claim honour in the presence of a king, and do not stand in the place of great men; for it is better that it be said to you, 'Come up here,' than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen
Proverbs 25:6-7
Consider John the Baptist, whom Jesus described as 'more than a prophet,' the greatest of prophets born of women (Matthew 11:7-11). He was the voice preparing the way for the Messiah (v 10), expressing the importance of humility with the arrival of God's kingdom: every mountain will be brought low, but valleys exalted and crooked paths made straight (Luke 3:3-6), poetically expressing the fruit of repentance in humility in response to the arrival of the Messiah and His royal rule on earth in the hearts of the humble (vv 7-18). John 'performed no sign,' yet his witness of the Messiah was true and accurate (John 10:41). Greatness in God's kingdom is not measured by people showing signs and wonders and miracles, but by purity and humility. Although these signs express His kingdom (Matthew 11:4-6), they can also be counterfeit; the fruit of whether or not the miracles-workers keep the law or are lawless will reveal whether they are false prophets and wolves in sheep clothing or the real ministers of God doing the will of God (Matthew 7:15-23), those who live by the word of God (vv 24-27). Greatness in the kingdom of God is foremost expressed in humility. We are to do good in the world, expressing God's will, and do it with genuine motives so that our work for God points to God and doesn't seek gloomy for ourselves (Matthew 5:16). This is the way to greatness in the kingdom of God and being a true light in the world and salt of the earth (vv 13-15).
Conclusion
Greatness in the kingdom of God is in being humble and serving people in selfless service; it is serving with humility to God’s glory expressing His nature and doing His will.
Humility is not a lack of self-esteem or confidence. It is a healthy self-assessment and a refusal to be proud in the ways of the world. Humility is seeking to reflect the beauty of Christ, the Servant. He was the One who expressed the greatest way to love: to give His life for others (John 15:13). And the greatest way to love is the greatest way to live.