Matthew 18:1–6 (ESV)
Who Is the Greatest?
18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and
said, “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.
5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to
have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Every time I hear this passage, the first thing that comes to mind
is Muhammed Ali. It is no secret that I am a boxing and mixed martial arts fan… but I did not like Ali! It had nothing to do with his color, but everything to do with his attitude. He always claimed that he was the greatest and that
always ticked me off. Jesus is the Greatest! And if Ali was the greatest, then why did he lose his championship title three times??? I will give him credit as a one of the greatest boxers and that he was the undisputed heavy weight boxing
champion. I did not like his trash talking attitude. He worked his magic in the ring with his rope-a-dope and I watched him beat up my favorites… especially George Foreman. It seems that in today’s readings, the disciples had
an attitude problem too! Jesus teaches them that being a Christian is not about being great, but being humble.
I pray: O Lord, help me to be humble,
and to put others before me. Help me to have faith like a little child. Amen.