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Unless You Become Like Children
Word of the Cross Bible Study – March 14th, 2012
While on the way to “the house” in Capernaum (likely the home of Peter and Andrew), the disciples argued about who among them was the greatest. After Jesus and the disciples entered the house, he brought up the subject of greatness. Although he was fully aware of their discussion among themselves, he asked them what they had argued about on the road. They appear to have been embarrassed about the incident and did not respond. (Mark 9:33, 34; Luke 9:46)
Jesus then used the opportunity to teach them about the meaning of greatness in the “kingdom of the heavens,” the realm where his Father is Sovereign. He seated himself and invited the twelve apostles to come to him. In the “kingdom of the heavens,” greatness differed markedly from the kingdoms of the world, where those in positions of prominence and power issue commands and had servants serve them. On account of the environment in which they had grown up, the apostles shared this view of greatness. According to Luke 9:47, Jesus knew the “reasoning of their heart,” suggesting that their understanding of greatness reflected their inmost thoughts. Therefore, it must have been very startling for them to hear Jesus’ explanation of greatness. Anyone who wanted to be first or occupy the foremost position would have to conduct himself as being “last of all” or the most insignificant and make himself the “servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)
To provide the apostles with an object lesson about true greatness, Jesus asked a child in the home to come to him. The boy would have been an example of the essential attributes Jesus wanted his disciples to associate with greatness in God’s kingdom. In expression of his affection for the boy, Jesus had him stand beside him and put his arms around him.
Read Matthew 18:1-5 "At that time 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..."
"Who is the greatest in the kingdom, of heaven?" - By the kingdom of heaven they meant the kingdom which they supposed he was about to set up - his kingdom as the Messiah. They asked the question because they supposed, in accordance with the common expectation of the Jews, that he was about to set up a temporal kingdom of great splendor, and they wished to know who should have the principal offices, and posts of honor and profit. This was among them a frequent subject of inquiry and controversy.
Read Mark 10:35-45 “Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
“What's in it for me”? A common inquiry among those, even in the faith.
"unless you turn or converted..." - The Revised Version translates, Except you turn, which is correct. The Greek word strepho translated in the active voice in every instance but one, and means to turn. It means something that the subject is to do, not something that is to be done for him.
That we should turn from that gain of a temporal kingdom; and from all our vain views of honor, recognition, wealth, and riches. The first step toward entering into the kingdom of grace, is to become as little children: lowly in heart, knowing yourselves utterly ignorant and helpless, and hanging wholly on your Father in heaven, for a supply of all your wants and needs. Except we become entirely, inwardly changed, moving toward being renewed in the image of Christ, we cannot enter into the kingdom of glory. Thus must every soul be converted from self to heavenward in this life, or he can never enter into life eternal.
Many love to hear and speak of privileges and glory, but few are willing to consider the thought of all the work and troubles. Our Lord set a little child before them, solemnly assuring them, that unless they were converted and made like little children, they could not enter his kingdom. Children, when very young, do not despise authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are free from malice or the desire to cause pain, and are teachable and willing, and wholly dependent on their guardians as their providers. It is true that they soon begin to show other dispositions, and other ideas are taught them at an early age, however it is the trust in utter simplicity that the Lord was pressing. Surely we need to be daily renewed in the spirit or our hearts and minds that we may become simple and humble, as little children, willing to be the least of all. We should daily study this teaching, and examine our own spirits in light of it.
"whoever humbles himself like this child..." - Whoever shall have not thoughts of himself, and prefer others to himself, shall behave in a modest humble manner, not seeking dominion over others, or treating his brethren in a haughty and superior manner, with scorn and contempt; but be willing to befriend those not often considered, willing to place himself in the lowest service, conversing with his others freely, without prejudice or distinction.
"The same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" - as spoken by the Apostle Paul, though not one of the twelve: nor are these words limited to them; at least, this passage may be illustrated in his case: he thought himself to be the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints, and unworthy to be called an apostle; yet had the largest measures of grace, the greatest gifts and abilities; and was honored with the greatest usefulness and success in the preaching of the Gospel to the conversion of sinners, and planting of churches; laboring more abundantly than they all.
Read 1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Word of the Cross Bible Study – March 14th, 2012
While on the way to “the house” in Capernaum (likely the home of Peter and Andrew), the disciples argued about who among them was the greatest. After Jesus and the disciples entered the house, he brought up the subject of greatness. Although he was fully aware of their discussion among themselves, he asked them what they had argued about on the road. They appear to have been embarrassed about the incident and did not respond. (Mark 9:33, 34; Luke 9:46)
Jesus then used the opportunity to teach them about the meaning of greatness in the “kingdom of the heavens,” the realm where his Father is Sovereign. He seated himself and invited the twelve apostles to come to him. In the “kingdom of the heavens,” greatness differed markedly from the kingdoms of the world, where those in positions of prominence and power issue commands and had servants serve them. On account of the environment in which they had grown up, the apostles shared this view of greatness. According to Luke 9:47, Jesus knew the “reasoning of their heart,” suggesting that their understanding of greatness reflected their inmost thoughts. Therefore, it must have been very startling for them to hear Jesus’ explanation of greatness. Anyone who wanted to be first or occupy the foremost position would have to conduct himself as being “last of all” or the most insignificant and make himself the “servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)
To provide the apostles with an object lesson about true greatness, Jesus asked a child in the home to come to him. The boy would have been an example of the essential attributes Jesus wanted his disciples to associate with greatness in God’s kingdom. In expression of his affection for the boy, Jesus had him stand beside him and put his arms around him.
Read Matthew 18:1-5 "At that time 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..."
"Who is the greatest in the kingdom, of heaven?" - By the kingdom of heaven they meant the kingdom which they supposed he was about to set up - his kingdom as the Messiah. They asked the question because they supposed, in accordance with the common expectation of the Jews, that he was about to set up a temporal kingdom of great splendor, and they wished to know who should have the principal offices, and posts of honor and profit. This was among them a frequent subject of inquiry and controversy.
Read Mark 10:35-45 “Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
“What's in it for me”? A common inquiry among those, even in the faith.
"unless you turn or converted..." - The Revised Version translates, Except you turn, which is correct. The Greek word strepho translated in the active voice in every instance but one, and means to turn. It means something that the subject is to do, not something that is to be done for him.
That we should turn from that gain of a temporal kingdom; and from all our vain views of honor, recognition, wealth, and riches. The first step toward entering into the kingdom of grace, is to become as little children: lowly in heart, knowing yourselves utterly ignorant and helpless, and hanging wholly on your Father in heaven, for a supply of all your wants and needs. Except we become entirely, inwardly changed, moving toward being renewed in the image of Christ, we cannot enter into the kingdom of glory. Thus must every soul be converted from self to heavenward in this life, or he can never enter into life eternal.
Many love to hear and speak of privileges and glory, but few are willing to consider the thought of all the work and troubles. Our Lord set a little child before them, solemnly assuring them, that unless they were converted and made like little children, they could not enter his kingdom. Children, when very young, do not despise authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are free from malice or the desire to cause pain, and are teachable and willing, and wholly dependent on their guardians as their providers. It is true that they soon begin to show other dispositions, and other ideas are taught them at an early age, however it is the trust in utter simplicity that the Lord was pressing. Surely we need to be daily renewed in the spirit or our hearts and minds that we may become simple and humble, as little children, willing to be the least of all. We should daily study this teaching, and examine our own spirits in light of it.
"whoever humbles himself like this child..." - Whoever shall have not thoughts of himself, and prefer others to himself, shall behave in a modest humble manner, not seeking dominion over others, or treating his brethren in a haughty and superior manner, with scorn and contempt; but be willing to befriend those not often considered, willing to place himself in the lowest service, conversing with his others freely, without prejudice or distinction.
"The same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" - as spoken by the Apostle Paul, though not one of the twelve: nor are these words limited to them; at least, this passage may be illustrated in his case: he thought himself to be the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints, and unworthy to be called an apostle; yet had the largest measures of grace, the greatest gifts and abilities; and was honored with the greatest usefulness and success in the preaching of the Gospel to the conversion of sinners, and planting of churches; laboring more abundantly than they all.
Read 1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
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