Matthew 18:1-6 (Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48)
Jesus had just provided the temple tax for Peter to find in a fish's mouth. (Matthew 17:24-27 I intentionally skipped this passage because I wanted to end with the disciples' argument. We may circle back and cover this in the next session.) The disciples and Jesus are walking to the next destination and an argument (the word is dialogue or reasoning, but argument gives it a fiery tone.) Jesus hears and asks them to explain what's got everyone so riled. The disciples are trying to figure out who would be greatest. Jesus tells them they need to be like a child and like a servant if they hope to even get in to the kingdom of heaven.
When Jesus hears the subject of the argument, He calls a little child to stand beside Him and leads the disciples in a lesson. Children are naturally trusting and willing to accept the most complicated situation with their parents' explanation. It's important to be childlike in humility as we come to understand the kingdom of heaven. But it doesn't take long around a child to see that they also naturally have a "me first" mindset. So then, as we mature from childhood to adulthood, we start to see the importance of being a servant. To be willing to let someone be first and to think less of our selves. Then in our more mature state, (not perfect, but mature) we should be able to recognize an immature believer, a child when it comes to following Christ. When in their immature state, they will have a "me first" attitude, just like we did in the beginning. It's our job as "older" Christians to bring those children along and raise them to be servants. But Jesus warns the disciples not to treat them as worth less, because in them is the beginning of the kingdom, the mustard seed, and if we treat them as worth less, we are treating King Jesus the same way.
As we think of this story in terms of our timeline as a follower of Christ, we can see the cycle clearly laid out. First--Come as a child, humble and trusting (Salvation) Second--Develop a heart of a servant, don't demand your way, but let the Way of Christ lead (Growth and Maturation). Third--Look for the "children" who are on the first step and love them and lead them as if you were leading Christ Jesus Himself, because according to Jesus, you are!! (Discipleship) Repeat the third step as often as possible. I'm changed by Luke 9:47 "But Jesus knew their thoughts." The disciples had walked a long time with Jesus The disciples' job was to lead others to Christ. I have walked a long time with Jesus. My job is to lead others to Christ. But if I'm stuck in immaturity, Jesus knows my thoughts. And just as the disciples were wasting precious time arguing among themselves over who would be greatest, so I am wasting precious time doing the same. I pray during our break, I will use this time to evaluate my maturity, be childLIKE in my trust but not childISH in my actions, and grow closer to God with the heart of a servant.
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