The Greatest/Stumbling | Matthew 18:1-9

True Greatness

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child, whom he put among them, 3 and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Temptations to Sin

6 “If any of you cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things are bound to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

8 “If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.

---

What does it mean to be humble like a child? What does it mean to have the faith of a child?

My son Oliver is going to be one year old in April, which seems impossible. Over this last year, I’ve loved watching Oliver experience the world. To him, every moment is new, everything is something to experience with wide-eyed wonder. And that’s the image I thought of while reading this passage – the wide-eyed wonder of an infant.

The faith that Jesus calls us to is filled with wonder and curiosity. I think the humility of a child can be found within this type of faith too. It is within humility that we desire to learn from one another, that we desire to experience the world anew, that we admit we will never know everything or even know God fully, but we can wonder. We can wonder about God, about our world, about our lives.

I wonder what our days would be like if we could look at everything we do like an infant. What in our lives would seem absolutely ridiculous? What would seem amazing? I wonder what our faith would look like. What would it be like to hear the story of Jesus’ birth, death, or resurrection for the first time? How would it feel to hear for the first time that the God who created the cosmos truly and entirely loves you?

Action: Take some time today to pause. Think about whatever it is you are doing and imagine it’s the first time you have ever done it or even heard about it. Does this make it seem different? Where is God in the midst of what you are doing? How could you share God’s love through this?

Prayer: Loving God, open our hearts so that we may be filled with wonder. Help us to wonder about the world around us and everyone we meet so that we might listen to them and listen for you. Remind us of your presence and help us to share your boundless love. Amen.

Pastor Jonathan Westerlund

MNYS Assistant to the Bishop

Camper 2004-2010