The Lutheran Hour
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"Who is Greatest?"
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Text: Matthew 18:1-20
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Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Look to Christ’s cross, my friends, and you will see the grace of God in action. Look to His empty tomb and you will see the power of God fulfilled. Look to the Lord Jesus and you will see someone who loves you. Grace, power, and love are the qualities of someone we can trust. God grant this trusting spirit to us all. Amen.
This past week I wandered around the Lutheran Hour Ministries headquarters. That’s not unusual. I don’t like sitting at my desk very much so I almost always wander. This time my wanderings had a purpose as I spent some time conducting a short, little survey – a survey I’d like to give to you today.
Here we go. Question #1: Can you give me the full names, and by that I mean the first, middle, and last names of all four of your grandparents? For many people I’ve asked this week, that question was upsetting. They knew they should know, but most didn’t. How did you do?
Let’s move on. Question #2: If your grandparents are dead, can you give me the name of the cemetery where they are buried, and if you were asked, could you give a stranger direction to their graves?
Question #3: Assuming you aren’t a Native American, from what city in the old country did the various branches of your family come? Originally, I was going to ask what were the names of the boats which brought them here, but I thought that might be too hard.
Question #4: Name the vice-presidents for the last six presidents of the United States. Now, if you happen to be living in a different country than the U.S., please feel free to list the last six second-in-commands for whatever type of government you do have.
Question #5: The last one. What movie won the Academy Award for best picture in 1950? If you don’t like that question, I’ll get you another. Who was the most popular actor in 1950? Still don’t know? How about the most popular actress that year; or who was the world’s richest man that year; or who was head of General Motors that year? Have you managed to get an answer to any of these? How about the most popular singer in 1950, or the governor of your state in 1950? I’m running out of options here. Did you get any of question #5 right?
If the answer to those questions didn’t immediately pop into your brain, don’t feel too bad; most people aren’t able to answer them. Which is, in some ways, a little sad. Think about it… the first three of these questions dealt with people who made you who you are today. Many of your strengths, your weaknesses, your thought processes, your skills, your looks, come directly from them. You are separated from your grandparents by only one generation, still, most of us can’t give the full names of these very special, and very personal people. The next question, the one dealing with vice-presidents, referred to men who, at one point in time, were movers and shakers. Most were in the public eye, had their names splashed across the newspaper headlines, and were frequently featured on radio and TV. These were men of power; men who represented your country at official state functions; whose wisdom (or lack thereof) shaped the political world in which we live. These men were once only a heartbeat away from the presidency, but now – for the most part – we have forgotten them.
The last question, the one about actors and actresses and movies was an interesting one. Those thespians once had the world at their feet; they commanded large salaries, lived in larger homes and, fueled by the adoration of tens of millions of fans, probably had very large heads. The clothes they wore shaped fashion; what they said was quoted by the fan magazines; where they ate and vacationed was a subject of interest. When they won the Academy Award in 1950, everyone said they were “unforgettable.” Even so, today most have forgotten them and what they did. The further back in time you go, the worse it gets.
Which is bad news for you and me. Why? You see, you and I like to think we are important, we’re unique, we’re memorable, we’re the greatest. Please, don’t be modest. The old expression, “People want to be at the front of the bus, in the back of the church, and always the center of attention” has a certain degree of truth. Go to any kindergarten or pre-school classroom in the country. It doesn’t make any difference whether the class is in a rich community or a poor one; if the place is almost empty or the children are packed in like sardines. Do you know what you will hear? I absolutely promise you won’t go fifteen minutes without one of the students saying, “Teacher, look at me.” If teacher doesn’t look soon enough, or long enough, the demand will be voiced again: “Teacher, look at me. Teacher, look at me. Teacher, look at me.” If you go to the homes of these children, you will find the same thing: “Mommy, look at me; look at what I’m doing! Mommy? Mommy! Mommy?!!!” All of these children believe they are special, which they are. Most of those children believe what they are doing is the most important thing in the world, and to them it is. The problem is a goodly share of them believe they are the greatest and they expect everyone to believe it, too.
Now most people sort of learn to tame that desire for greatness as they get older. Most of us would never say anything like, I’m the greatest.” At least not out loud. Even so, I’ve watched octogenarian sisters get into a dispute about how mom and dad had given liberties to one sister which the other hadn’t enjoyed. I have read of mothers who conspired to commit murder to make sure their daughter made the cheerleading squad, and fathers who attacked umpires because they called their son “out” in Little League baseball. I’ve read of teens who wanted to make a name for themselves by blowing up their school or shooting their classmates. On the other hand, I’ve never seen any defeated football team jumping up and down as they chanted: “We’re number three; we’re number three.” I have never heard of a person aspiring to be ignored, to be mediocre, run-of-the-mill, and unappreciated. We have a desire to be the greatest.
So did our ancestors. Look at Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They ate from the forbidden fruit because they wanted to be as smart as God; as discerning as God; as good as God. After the great flood, which the Lord sent to teach humankind a lesson, it didn’t take too long before the sons and daughters of the survivors decided they wanted to be as great, even greater, than God. “Come,” they said, “let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves…” Again and again the Scripture tells the tale of God’s people wanting to be the greatest; how God’s people sinfully tried to shove the Lord to the side. Understand, the Bible tells us to use all the talents the Lord has given us, but it also tells us to be grateful because every good and perfect gift we have comes from God.
We should be grateful, but we’re not. Here, let me look at one Old Testament book – the book of Judges. Listen to how people thought they could disregard God. Chapter 2, verse 11 says: “And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.” For shoving God aside, for trying to make themselves #1, the Lord’s people were punished. Did it change them any? Not really. The very next chapter says, “And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God”(Judges 3:7). Sounds like a broken record, doesn’t it? That’s because it is a broken record. That’s why Judges 3:12: says, “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD;” and Judges 4:1 says, “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD;” and Judges 6:1 says “The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD”; and 10:6 says, “The people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.” Judges 13:1 relates how, “The people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, so the LORD gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.”
With that kind of human heritage, it’s not surprising that even Jesus’ disciples got themselves involved in a discussion about which of them was the greatest. That’s right, Jesus’ disciples. Let me tell you about what happened. Jesus had just finished telling His closest pals about the cross, His suffering, His agony, His death. He had just finished talking to them about how His life, which had begun in a lowly stable, would end on a lonely cross. It was a moment which called for contemplation, consideration, and commiseration on the part of the disciples. Indeed, Scripture says they were very sad. They were sad, but that didn’t stop them from arguing about which of them was the greatest.
Yes, they were sad for Jesus and His problems, but they had lives to lead and important questions which needed answering. That’s why they who had been privileged to see Jesus serve the lost, the lonely, the downtrodden, ended up arguing about who was the greatest among them. You can almost hear them. Andrew might have said, “I’m the greatest because I’m the first He called. I’ve got seniority.” Peter might have said, “Yeah, but I’m the one who is the most enthusiastic.” Simon the Zealot would have believed the position of greatest ought to be reserved for him since he was the most politically savvy. John might have meekly suggested he was the disciple whom Jesus loved. Matthew, the tax collector, might have added: “Gentlemen, you’re all very special, each in your own way. But when it comes to “greatest,” since I was the biggest sinner, I have been redeemed the most.” Even Judas the betrayer might have weighed in with, “Yes, but I’m the one He trusts with the money. Counting money ought to count.”
Yes, the disciples argued, and Jesus walked on toward Capernaum as if He didn’t know anything was going on. You know what I’m talking about, like when you pretend to ignore the children’s discussion in the back seat of the car when they’re talking about their friends; or when you overhear someone dishing out some juicy gossip about someone you know. Jesus acted as if He didn’t know what was going on. He listened as they fought. Apparently things became deadlocked and the disciples decided to take the argument to a higher court. They asked Jesus something like: “Lord, which of us is the best; which one is going to be most honored; which of us really nice guys is the greatest?”
There can be little doubt that each of the disciples, like a nominee for an Academy Award, probably had his acceptance speech tucked into the pocket of his coat. Each of them felt he was deserving; each of them felt Jesus would give him the nod and then, they would pretend to look shocked and surprised. With tears in their eyes they would run up to the Savior and stutter, “Jesus, I simply can’t believe I’m the one. I’d like to thank all the little people out there who have made this award possible. I’d like to thank my wife, my producer, my teachers, and did I leave anyone out? This is just so unexpected.”
Well that’s not what Jesus did. Instead of giving an award to a disciple for excellence in a supporting role, Jesus called to a young child. He asked the little one to come to Him. When the trusting child did that, Jesus picked that youngster up and said words to this effect, “Boys, did you notice how this little child came to Me when I called; did you pay attention how, when I wanted to lift him up, he not only allowed Me to do so, but he raised his arms to show his willingness? If you did notice all these things, I’d like you to also note this child doesn’t know what I’m going to do, but he thinks whatever I do is all right. Boys, this trusting little fellow right here, or someone like him, is the kind of person who is going to be the greatest in My kingdom.”
To trust and believe like a child. You know, when we’re born, we’re completely dependent upon someone for everything. If we’re going to be fed, someone has to do it; if we’re going to get changed, someone will have to do that. If we’re sick, we don’t know where the medicine is kept, or when it’s time to go to the doctor. Somebody has to do all those things; and because they do them, we manage to get by, living one day after another. Sadly, as we get older, we want to take control. With the passing of each year we grow more independent, less trusting, more lonely. Eventually we develop into the people you see; we become folks filled anger, bitterness, loneliness, jealousy, greed, and sorrow. We are sorry because people don’t appreciate us for our uniqueness or applaud us for our greatness. In our desire to be the greatest we often end up being the loneliest.
Let me tell you what I mean. It wasn’t so long ago a man worked very hard at starting up a small, new business. It had always been his dream to do so, and he gave it all he had. Sadly, all he had wasn’t enough and the business went belly-up. The day he realized the place was going to close he came home despondent, discouraged, and disheartened. His wife asked what had happened and he muttered back, “I’m ruined. I’ve lost everything.” Overhearing, the man’s son thought for a moment, interrupted and said, “All? You’ve lost all, papa? You haven’t. Papa, you’ve still got me. Very seriously he said, “Dad, you haven’t lost anything. You’ve got your health; and your hands to work with; and your feet to walk around; and your eyes to see where you’re going. And you have God. Dad, you still have God.”
That’s the way a little child sees things. A little child sees what, sees who, is important. That’s faith. To believe that no matter how dark things get, the Lord still is light and He can see the way ahead of us. To trust that no matter how many seem ready to bring us down; no matter how hopeless things might seem; Jesus is still Good News of great joy for all people. To know that no matter what I have done wrong; no matter how abandoned I may feel, Jesus is with me, and He continues to love me. That is why Jesus was born of a virgin in a humble stable. True man so He could be one of us; so He could carry our sins; so He could die in our stead; true God so He could live perfectly; so He could conquer sin and devil; so He could defeat death.
Jesus loves me. He walked among us, showing that love for 33 years. His entire life He proved the power of God as He healed; He demonstrated the wisdom of God as He taught; He showed the grace of God as He carried our sins to the cross and died in our stead. Jesus loves me. That’s why His third-day resurrection is so very important. Jesus loves me and because He does, by the Father’s grace and by the Holy Spirit’s call I am forgiven and saved. I pray you can believe that. There is no reason not to.
Years ago I saw a father playing with his son by tossing him into the air and catching him. Now, please don’t write to me and say, “That’s a foolish, dangerous thing to do.” It was, but that’s not the point. The point is this, the boy was laughing. Yes, he was laughing and in between his giggles he kept calling, “Again, daddy, do it again.” I told dad, “If somebody was throwing me, I don’t think I’d be that enthusiastic or relaxed.” And dad said, “Well, he knows he’s not in control and I am. And we’ve done this for a few months, and I’ve never given him a reason not to trust me.”
Which, I guess is what Jesus was trying to say. In this world each of us has to trust somebody or something. That’s life. But your trust is only as solid as the person in whom you place it. If we trust another person, we will only count on what people are able to do. If we trust ourselves, that trust is as limited as we are. If we trust money, good luck. But if we trust God, we shall receive what God is able and has committed Himself to do. And what has God committed? To love us, to forgive us; to save us; to adopt us. That’s the kind of person I want to rely on. That is the person who really is the greatest. If He is someone you’d like to meet, please call us at The Lutheran Hour. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for September 7, 2008
Topic: Gun ControlANNOUNCER: Now, Pastor Ken Klaus answers questions from listeners. I’m Mark Eischer.
KLAUS: Hello, Mark, and hello to our listeners.
ANNOUNCER: A question today that comes to us from a Christian in Colorado who wants to know, “What does the Bible say about guns and gun control?”
KLAUS: Do we have any more information than that? Are they for or against it? Is there a special reason? Has a gun infected them someway in their life that they are asking the question?
ANNOUNCER: No. Nothing, just “What does the Bible say about guns and gun control?”
KLAUS: OK. The Bible doesn’t say anything about guns or gun control. It doesn’t say anything about shotguns; it doesn’t say anything about handguns; about rifles; it doesn’t say anything about howitzers. It doesn’t even mention the word guns.
ANNOUNCER: But I don’t suppose our listener wants us to let it go that easily.
KLAUS: Just answering the question; just answering the question, as it was stated.
ANNOUNCER: But, could you elaborate?
KLAUS: The very first murder we find in the Bible is when Cain killed his brother Abel in a jealous rage. We don’t know if he used a knife, a club, or a stone, but I do feel confident in saying….
ANNOUNCER: …he didn’t use a gun.
KLAUS: Right. The Bible tells how Samson slaughtered 1,000 Philistines. He didn’t use a knife, a club, or a stone. The Bible says he used a jawbone of an ass. In that case, I’m absolutely sure he didn’t…
ANNOUNCER: …use a gun.
KLAUS: The Bible records all kinds of murders, wars, and violence. And in none of those instances does it speak of anyone killing someone using….
ANNOUNCER: But still, there is a legitimate issue to discuss here, isn’t there?
KLAUS: There is, Mark: It is the issue of violence. The Bible condemns unfair and unjust violence. Such an action is always against God’s will and wishes – far better for people to live in harmony.
ANNOUNCER: Yes, and if this were a perfect world, we’d all want to do that. But it’s not, so we don’t.
KLAUS: Which is exactly why God gives to the government the power of the sword – to punish and to reward. That’s why there are policemen; that’s why there are soldiers.
ANNOUNCER: Now, some people think God allowed violence in the Old Testament, but Jesus condemned it in the New. If I could play devil’s advocate here for a moment, what does it mean when Jesus says, “Turn the other cheek”? What does it mean when Paul says, “See to it that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:15)?
KLAUS: Those passages are pertinent. God’s people are to refrain from doing unfair and unjust violence to another.
ANNOUNCER: OK, again: unfair and unjust violence, but aren’t we just splitting hairs?
KLAUS: Not at all. At least I’m certainly not trying to. The principle I’m sharing here holds up in regard to war, to personal protection – to any kind of violence and any kind of weapon. It’s true, in our society there are many terrible deeds being done with guns. But the difficulty is not with the guns; it’s with the people. I’m saying, “Guns don’t kill people – sinful hearts filled with anger, jealousy, envy, fear, greed – that is what kills people.” Humanity is composed 100 percent of sinners. We will find a way to do to each other what we want to do. Take away the guns – we will find another way. It’s that simple. The solution is not the removal of guns, nuclear bombs, knives, poison, or biological and chemical weaponry. The solution is fixing our hearts.
ANNOUNCER: Fixing our hearts – but that’s not likely to happen, is it?
KLAUS: On our own, it’s never going to happen. We are born sinners; we will live and die sinners. The question is: can we be changed to become forgiven sinners and God’s people? To change us is why Jesus was born, why He lived, suffered, died, rose. So our lives in this world and the next might be changed is why He came.
Now those who believe on Him as their Savior do their very best to put their old selves to the side. They will try to live as people worthy of the Savior. They try to do unto others as they want those others to do to them.
ANNOUNCER: And what does that have to do with guns?
KLAUS: Well, everything. God’s people will live as they believe God wants them to live. They will avoid that which they believe God wants them to avoid. And the answer to guns, and rocks, knives, and howitzers, is in there.
ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Klaus. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Music selection for this program:
“A Mighty Fortress” arranged by John Leavitt. Concordia Publishing House/SESAC
“Christ Sits at God’s Right Hand” by Stephen Starke. From Sing With All the Saints by the Children’s Choirs of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (© 2006 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne)
“O Jesus, King Most Wonderful” arranged by Henry Gerike. Used by permission.
“On What Has Now Been Sown” From Every Voice a Song (© 1995 Concordia Publishing House)
“Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” by John Leavitt. From The Beautiful Treasure by John Leavitt (© John Leavitt Music/ASCAP)