Matthew 18:1

WHO IS THE GREATEST?

‘At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’

Matthew 18:1

Three times over during the closing weeks of our Lord’s life do we find this strange strife. Let us look upon these three occasions and learn lessons from them.

I. Spiritual envy.—Our text relates to the first occasion. Our Lord has just taken St. Peter, St. James, and St. John away from the other disciples into the Mount of Transfiguration. We can understand how on the part of the nine disciples there may have been envy at this time. How does our Lord rebuke this spirit? He takes a little child and sets that little child in the midst of them. Christ would teach both those who envy others and those who may be tempted to be proud of their gifts. He wants them to remember that these gifts are given for the building up of the Church, and not on account of their own merit.

II. Spiritual ambition.—In Matthew 20:20 the circumstances are different. Our Lord has just foretold His coming death, and St. James and St. John asked that they might sit one on His right hand and the other on His left in His kingdom. He does not blame this ambition of St. James and St. John. It was splendid faith which, just at that moment, when He foretold His cross, was able to keep its eye fixed upon the Throne. And Jesus Christ tells us how it is to be obtained. God helping, it is to be obtained by resignation, by submission, by drinking of the cup. The only man who really commands the homage of other men is the man who is willing to serve.

III. Spiritual pride.—The third occasion upon which there is this strife as to who shall be the greatest is in St. Luke 22:24. There was also a strife amongst them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. This is an occasion of spiritual pride, looking down upon others because of some fancied superiority in spiritual things. How does our Lord deal with it? He teaches them that all need cleansing, and He will go round and wash all their feet; and then they learn the lesson. Then, instead of looking one upon another, doubting of whom He speaks, they begin to ask, crestfallen, ‘Lord, is it I?’

—Canon E. A. Stuart.

Illustration

‘St. Augustine, being asked “What is the first thing in religion?” replied, “Humility.” “And what is the second?” “Humility.” “And what the third?” “Humility.” ’