True Humility
The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 18:4 NKJV – “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
OBSERVATION:
Who is the greatest? This was the question the disciples desperately needed answered. They, in their desire to find out who it was, came to Jesus looking for Him to settle the argument. The answer He gave was not what they expected. They were convinced that He would name one of them.
Surprisingly, this isn't the last time the disciples argue about this. Luke places this argument after Jesus institutes the Last Supper. Jesus had just said one would betray Him, and they debated about who was the greatest (Luke 22:23-24).
This question remains a topic of debate today. Jockeying for position, elevating one’s abilities over another, and talking down on others to make ourselves look better—all in an effort to claim I am the greatest. It’s something humanity has struggled with since the beginning.
Jesus could have pointed to Himself, but He turned to a little child. Why a child?
In Jesus' day, society saw children more as property and an obligation. They should be seen and not heard. They really had no rights.
Matthew 18:4 NKJV – “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
OBSERVATION:
Who is the greatest? This was the question the disciples desperately needed answered. They, in their desire to find out who it was, came to Jesus looking for Him to settle the argument. The answer He gave was not what they expected. They were convinced that He would name one of them.
Surprisingly, this isn't the last time the disciples argue about this. Luke places this argument after Jesus institutes the Last Supper. Jesus had just said one would betray Him, and they debated about who was the greatest (Luke 22:23-24).
This question remains a topic of debate today. Jockeying for position, elevating one’s abilities over another, and talking down on others to make ourselves look better—all in an effort to claim I am the greatest. It’s something humanity has struggled with since the beginning.
Jesus could have pointed to Himself, but He turned to a little child. Why a child?
In Jesus' day, society saw children more as property and an obligation. They should be seen and not heard. They really had no rights.
A child was a person of no importance in Jewish society, subject to the authority of his elders, not taken seriously except as a responsibility, one to be looked after, not one to be looked up to.” – R.T. France.
But Jesus saw something different.
Children are not threatening; we aren’t afraid of meeting a five-year-old in a dark alley. When we have a tough, intimidating presence, we aren’t like Jesus… The child is held up as an ideal, not of innocence, purity, or faith, but of humility and unconcern for social status. – D.A. Carson.
Children are not good at deceiving; they are pretty miserable failures at fooling their parents. When we are good at hiding ourselves and deceiving others, we aren’t like Jesus. – David Guzik.
Children are not good at deceiving; they are pretty miserable failures at fooling their parents. When we are good at hiding ourselves and deceiving others, we aren’t like Jesus. – David Guzik.
The same word for 'humble' used in this verse is the same one Paul used in Philippians to describe Jesus.
Philippians 2:8 NKJV - And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
APPLICATION:
It is not in our nature to be in a low place or to humble ourselves. Our flesh desires to be the greatest, to be seen as the greatest, and to act like the greatest.
Philippians 2:8 NKJV - And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
APPLICATION:
It is not in our nature to be in a low place or to humble ourselves. Our flesh desires to be the greatest, to be seen as the greatest, and to act like the greatest.
The imitation of humility is sickening; the reality is attractive. – Charles Spurgeon.
Let our actions speak louder than words. “I am so humble.” Do our actions cause others to feel sick, or do they draw people in, pointing them toward Jesus?
Philippians 2:5-7, 14-15 NKJV - Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ... Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me to be more like You. If I were You (thankfully, I am not!), I would have pointed to myself when asked the question, “Who is the greatest?” This shows me that there is still pride in my heart, and that my “imitation of humility is sickening.” Work in me to cultivate “humility that is attractive,” like a child with no agenda, so that I might be more like You.
Philippians 2:5-7, 14-15 NKJV - Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ... Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me to be more like You. If I were You (thankfully, I am not!), I would have pointed to myself when asked the question, “Who is the greatest?” This shows me that there is still pride in my heart, and that my “imitation of humility is sickening.” Work in me to cultivate “humility that is attractive,” like a child with no agenda, so that I might be more like You.
False humility is sickening, but genuine humility is appealing.
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