Lenten Reflection: The Ones Who Did Not Matter

Matthew 18:1–7

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

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.

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!

So, by this point of Matthews gospel, the disciples have been traveling with Jesus for a while and in a sense have come home to Capernaum which is the hometown of many of the disciples includes Peter, Andrew, and John. The transfiguration has occurred, and Jesus has performed miracles and preached across the land of Israel.

In other words, these folks knew Jesus and he knew them. And yet lots of questions remained. Some I am sure where theological and others were very human.

The question the disciples ask in this passage is a very human one.

“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

They are still thinking in terms of rank and status. Who sits closest to the throne. Who matters most.

Jesus answers by calling a child and placing that child in the center of the circle.

We miss how shocking that was.

In the ancient world, children were not sentimentalized and cared for by society the way we tend to treat them today. Sure, they were loved by families and perhaps those closest to the family in the community but to many they were of little value and even a nuisance.

You see children had no status legal or otherwise. No power. No voice in public life. High mortality rates made childhood fragile. A child represented vulnerability and dependence and an economic cost. They certainly were not an influence.

So, when Jesus places a child in the middle, he is not lifting up an item considered immensely valuable. He is lifting up insignificance.

“Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

That is not just a call to humility. It is a reversal of value. That is the world order upside down.

Jesus is saying the kingdom of heaven centers the ones who do not matter.

Then Jesus goes further. “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” To receive the overlooked is to receive Christ himself.

Loving the least of these is what greatness looks like in the kingdom.

And then comes the warning. If anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, the language turns severe. A millstone. The depth of the sea. Jesus is revealing how fiercely God guards the vulnerable. To harm those who trust is no small matter.

And here in the season of Lent, we are invited to examine our definitions of importance.

Whom do we overlook?Whose voices do we dismiss?Who is do we value?

Because in the kingdom of heaven, the ones who did not matter are standing at the center.

And Christ is standing with them.

May we have ears to hear and eyes to see.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Alleluia Amen.