“The disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
“’Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the sea…
“’See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.'” Matthew 18:1-6,10
“For who is God, but the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?—
the God who equipped me with strength
and made my way blameless.
He made my feet like the feet of a deer
and set me secure on the heights.
He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your right hand supported me,
and your gentleness made me great.” Psalm 18:31-35
The disciples wrangled constantly as they followed and observed and tried to figure out the ways of Jesus. He consistently pointed them to things above, to vertical and forward thinking, but their natural tendencies and insular lives limited their perspective of things. He was training them for a mindset of self-sacrifice and eternal purpose, and tentacles of their flesh held them in the conundrums and competition of here and now. When they asked who was greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus upended their convoluted thinking. Humility– full identification with Christ– was the only thing that would make them great. (Matthew 17:22-23; 22:29; Mark 10:37)
Man defines greatness in many ways, often tying it to attainment or achievement. The focus is usually on self: My accomplishments, My accolades. Jesus, whose thoughts and ways are far from ours, teaches another way. It is the life hidden in Him, tied to the cross, we are to emulate. It comes about only by emptying ourselves, having the mind is us that is in Him, and being filled with His Spirit. (Isaiah 55:8-9; Matthew 18:21-22; Mark 10:45; John 13:1-5,13-15; Philippians 2:3-8)
How, and from what, and for whom, do we seek greatness? Where are we striving in our own strength? Do we value performance, or amassing objects and resources, more than we do Christ, and Christ-like humility? Where are we expending concentration, effort, and energy? What would it take for us to die to self and live to Christ? (Galatians 2:20)
“To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to his
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!” ~City Alight (2024)
Lord, may I daily, and moment by moment, be so identified with all You are that You are seen, desired, and known as great and glorious.
As the rain and snow 