Childlike Humility
For most of human history, the firstborn son has received the birthright from their families. Kings gave their crowns and fathers gave control of their homes to their firstborn sons, but God consistently breaks the rules of this cultural norm. God regularly elevated the second-born son. He elevated Abel over Cain, Isaac over Ishmael, and Jacob over Esau.
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Colossians 1:15 NIV
The apostle Paul describes Jesus as a firstborn, but what did Jesus do with the power he received as the firstborn? He gave it up. Jesus was a king, but he did not wield physical power.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
Jesus is the King of an upside-down Kingdom that puts others before self.
But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.
When Jesus lived on Earth, six out of ten children died before the age of sixteen. So, kids didn’t have much value until they had proven that they were superior to the rest. For most of human history, people had to fight for status. Respect and honor were not simply given, but Jesus changed all of that. Jesus taught us that everyone has value because everyone is created in God’s image.
One day, Jesus had just finished healing many sick people when some parents brought their children to Jesus. These parents recognized Jesus’ power and hoped that power could protect their children. If people believe Jesus has something to offer their kids, they will bring their kids to Jesus. In that way, Jesus is irresistible. The strange thing about this story is not that people brought their kids to Jesus, but that Jesus accepted them. Jesus’ disciples attempted to keep the children away, but Jesus invited them to come closer.
But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
The world assumed Jesus wouldn’t have time for people with as little value as children. Jesus could have spent all of his time with religious and political leaders, but Jesus gave his time to widows and orphans. In fact, Jesus prioritized young people. Why? Because cynicism hadn’t had the time to overtake them to the point where they wouldn’t hear what he had to say. In other words, ministry to kids is more effective, more fruitful.
Not long before Jesus invited these children to come to him, he used children as an example, an illustration of the kind of faith we should all have.
Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
This is the passage the church has traditionally used to emphasize the importance of “childlike faith,” but that phrase does not show up in the Bible. This passage is about childlike humility. Jesus was answering a question about who is greatest, and he pointed to the humblest of the people around him.
Sometimes, the strength, success, experience, and knowledge we accumulate causes us to become prideful. For our faith to mature, we have to put all of that behind us and recognize that we are totally dependent on God. The distance between God’s goodness and my goodness is almost identical to the distance between God’s goodness and the worst sinner’s goodness. Why is that? Because God is that great. Compared to God’s goodness, we are all bad.
This week, with honest sincerity, my son asked me if there is anyone in the world who is stronger than I am. I lied and said, “No.” Because there is such a great difference between his strength and my strength, he assumes I am strong. But, even compared to the average oilfield worker in my church, I am weak.
The Beethoven-Haus is a museum in Bonn, Germany for the great composer and pianist Ludwig Van Beethoven. One of Beethoven’s pianos is on display in that museum, and the museum guards work to keep the piano in top condition. They are tasked with protecting the piano because when children see the piano, they attempt to play it. However, when the great pianists of our time visit the location to reflect on the greatness of Ludwig Van Beethoven, they never attempt to play the piano. The adults admire the man rather than play with the man. What a waste. Pianos were meant to be played, not simply looked at.
When we work hard to build a beautiful and moral life, we are tempted to admire our efforts and proudly display our goodness. Any growth we have experienced should only be used to point people to Jesus. Our good works serve as tools to glorify God, not to glorify ourselves. If we truly see the goodness of God, we cannot be proud. When we truly know ourselves, we will be humbled.
Can I be content when no one compliments me, yet glorifies God? Am I more motivated to display my goodness than I am to shine a light on God’s goodness? Am I tempted to believe I have arrived at a summit when I have only reached the basecamp? Childlike humility leads us to worship and to prayer. It causes us to surrender to God’s will rather than to invite God into our will.
