In our culture we give a lot of attention to our children. We are driven to provide the best of the best for them.
This isn’t about that.
There was a time—and culture—when children considered more of a bother and thought much more lowly than now.1 They would never have been used as a “good” example in the time of the writing of the New Testament.
Who is the Greatest?
In Matthew 18:1 Jesus was asked by his followers, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?” There is general agreement among theologians that the disciples were thinking primarily about power at this point. They still didn’t get the Kingdom that Jesus was bringing. They wanted to know what kind of power they would have in Jesus’ government— a government they thought he would be establishing in Jerusalem.
They had seen his ability to work miracles over absolutely everything—over weather, healing, death. Obviously, He would be taking over the ungodly government of Rome and establishing a Messianic kingdom foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures. He had the power.
But, Jesus sets them straight. He tells them to repent of their arrogance—of seeking power and preeminence.
He called a child to him and, using that child as an example, told them:
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3-4
Some Perspectives
He knew his disciples’ hearts and responded to their need for correction.
Barnes’ Notes explains that Jesus is saying, “he shall be the most distinguished Christian who is the most humble . . .”
Gill’s Exposition suggests that Jesus is instructing, “Drop all contentions about primacy and preeminence, and all your ambitious views of one being greater than another . . .”
Matthew Henry explains the distinction Jesus is making: “Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their parents.”
Jesus used a child because of a child’s natural humility—they are particularly needy and trusting. So too, Jesus calls his disciples to image this humility.
The Kingdom Way
In all of this, Jesus’ point is that the seeking of power and authority is counter to His way—the Kingdom way.
Toxic leadership is generally about power and control. It is contrary to the way of Jesus Christ.
When a leader shows signs of seeking power and authority, no matter what the reason, he needs to hear the words of Jesus. And consider his motives.
How often do you hear a leader—or his followers—say he is only wanting the position of power to affect good change—to have a good impact on the culture of the company, organization, church, or government?
Beware.
Proximity to Power & Collusion
The disciples knew Jesus would rule wisely. They recognized His Lordship at this point in the story—at least to some degree. However, they were looking largely at how they could rule and have power with Him.
They wanted proximity to His power. Not an uncommon trait of the followers of powerful people—often making them colluders with the leader.
It has been found in research that followers impact leadership—positively or negatively.2 Toxic followers do the bidding of toxic leaders creating twice the hell the leader creates. They prop up toxic leaders. They are complicit with toxic leaders.
Generally, followers will prop up powerful toxic leaders. They agree with much of what the toxic leader is doing AND because they feel they need the power that their relationship to the leader sluffs off on them.
Motives will Affect Actions
The disciples agreed with the general goals of Jesus’ government. But Jesus knew their hearts and had to provide a correction to their motives, because motives will almost always affect actions.
So, Jesus calls upon His followers to humble themselves. He modeled humility. They were to follow like children.
Are you a leader or follower? Turn and become like a child.
Notes
- Gibbs, Jeffrey A, and Kloha, Jeffrey, ‘“Following” Matthew 18: Interpreting Matthew 18:15-20 in Its Context’, Concordia Journal, 29/1 (2003), 6–25
↩︎ - Padilla, Art, Hogan, Robert, and Kaiser, Robert B., ‘The Toxic Triangle: Destructive Leaders, Susceptible Followers, and Conducive Environments’, The Leadership Quarterly, 18 (2007), 176–94 ↩︎