Section 73--Point 1, Greatness in His Kingdom

Passages under reflection:

Mark 9:33-37
Luke 9:46-50
Matthew 18:1-5

Point 1: Jesus addresses the question among the disciples---who is the greatest in the kingdom?  He corrects their understanding of "greatness."

"Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum for the last time after an absence of several months. When they were in the house Jesus candidly asked them what they were… arguing about on the road (en tē hodō, “on the way”; cf. comments on Mar_1:2). Once again His pointed question opened the way for additional teaching (cf. Mar_8:27, Mar_8:29)." -Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC)

"The peerage of the kingdom
I. The question. It showed ignorance, pride, selfishness.
II. The answer. Learn: The way of entrance. The principle of recompense, not merit; not personal worth and greatness. The acknowledgment of unworthiness even to get in at all." -H. Bonar

"The question of the disciples brings them very distinctly before us, and makes them very real to us, as men like unto ourselves. Nothing can be more artless, and evidently truthful, than their representation in these Gospels of their own thoughts and conduct." BI

On the need to discern the difference between greatness and ambition:

I. Ambition is to be distinguished from the desire of excellence.

II. That ambition is evil in its nature, and therefore degrading in its influence, is evident.

1. Because it is inconsistent with our relation to God as creatures.

2. It is inconsistent with our relation to God as sinners.

3. Because Christ always reproved this desire of preeminence.

4. This trait of character did not belong to Christ.

5. We always approve of the opposite temper whenever we see it manifested.

6. It is inconsistent with our being governed by right motives and affections.-BI

By constantly refusing to yield to this evil desire; refusing to cherish it or to obey its dictates. By uniformly avoiding to seek the honour which comes from men. (Chas. Hedge, 

"Let us not seek the world in the Church, nor honours and preferments in the kingdom of Christ. Let us not fit religion to our carnal desires, but lay them down at the foot of religion." -Biblical Illustrator,  A. Farindon

"The world’s opinion. The world’s great men are usually great conquerors, or great philosophers, poets, etc. Many of them small men, viewed in their moral relations. Alexander wept for another world to conquer. “Greater is he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” BKC

"And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” -Mark 9:35

"Humility is not a weak and timid quality. It must be distinguished from a grovelling spirit. We should think something of our humanity, and not cast it under men’s feet. Servants to all; servile to none."-BI

"Now see how humility lies at the base of all true greatness. We instinctively associate humility with greatness. We always suspect ostentation." -E. H. Chapin, D. D.

"Their laws are different. It is a common error amongst men to judge of spiritual things by carnal. Goodness is greatness. Let us seek for honour; but seek for it in its own coasts; let us look up to the highest heavens where its seat is." -A. Farindon

"It is but a fancy, and a vain one, to think there is most ease and most content in worldly greatness, or that we sleep best when our pillow is highest. Alas! when our affrighted thoughts shall awake each other, and our conscience put forth her sting; when those sins shall rise up against us, by which we have climbed to this pitch; all the honour of the world will not give us ease." A. Farindon

"You can always tell when a person is aware of his shortcomings by his telling you how great he is. Conversely, a person who is truly great never has to talk about it or prove it." -Jon Courson

"Travellers tell us that the forests of South America are full of the gem-like humming-bird, yet you may sometimes ride for hours without seeing one. They are most difficult to see when perched among the branches, and almost indistinguishable flying among the flowering trees; it is only every now and then that some accidental circumstance reveals the swarm of bejewelled creatures, and they flash upon the vision in white, red, green, blue, and purple. It is somewhat thus with society—the noblest, the most beautiful characters are not the obtrusive ones. Going through life carelessly, one might think all the people common enough; reading the newspapers, one might suppose the world to contain only bad men; but it may comfort us to remember the truly great and good shun observation and walk humbly with God." -W. L. Watkinson