The disciples approached Jesus and said,
"Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?"
It was obvious who the great ones were in the world, the rich, and those in power. But the Kingdom was clearly different. This question from the disciples may have been another way of asking what would constitute doing their best for Jesus or what would make them the most valuable to the Kingdom he was bringing about. If that was the case then the question wasn't entirely one motivated by pride. It was at least partially based on enthusiasm for Jesus and his movement. We'd almost be inclined to say that it is better to have a bit too much ambition of this kind than no motivation at all, better to be coordinating with Jesus to build the Kingdom with imperfect motives, than to sit on our hands at home.
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
"Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
As we can see, however, Jesus did find the disciples drive for greatness as something in need of correction. The disciples pursuit of greatness was partly for Jesus, but also substantially rooted in what they as individual contributors could add. It was based on their inaccurate ideas about themselves, that Jesus in some way needed something from them that no one else could offer. It was also based on a desire to stand out from others in the future, to be elevated and honored for what they were able to do that others were not. The correction Jesus gave them was not one designed to decrease their motivation to pursue excellence. It was rather one that was designed to give them a new basis for self-worth. In the Kingdom it wasn't their performance or unique abilities that made them valuable. In the eyes of the world they would have as little value as the world place on children. In that sense they were to understand that their contributions were roughly similar to kids being allowed to assist in the kitchen. It was more for their sake than for that of the meal. Yet, although the world in Jesus's time tended to not value children, we do see examples where children were highly valued. After all, such children as Isaac, Samson, and Samuel, were all treasured by their parents. Jesus himself was the beloved Son of his heavenly Father. And we know the Father's love was revealed to disciples specifically by making them his children. It was this kind of spiritual childhood that was meant to be the source of the value and self-worth of the disciples. It wasn't something that could be the source of competition, for all disciples shared equally in this spiritual adoption. But it did not inherently diminish their drive or motivation. Instead it shifted the basis for it. They would henceforth wish to perform, not out of a need to feel validated, but in order to please their heavenly Father whom they loved.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
We receive Jesus more and better when we recognize the value that is inherent in others independent of their utilitarian value to us. Humans are worthy of love and respect regardless of whether or not they can add unique value as individual contributors through high levels of talent or skill. We are worthy because we are made in the image and likeness of God. We are all his sons and daughters potentially if not actually. When we recognize this fact about others it will be easier for us to see the presence of Jesus in them, and, in receiving them, to receive him as well.
See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
By acting like children in a spiritual sense, by trusting in the Father more than in ourselves, we become able to avail ourselves better of divine providence and heavenly protection. When we insist on relying on our smarts, strength, or skills, we put ourselves at risk of self-sabotage, at going against the provisions put in place for our own protection. It is like trying to cook with no adults in the kitchen. Their is a real risk that we may burn the whole place down. We have to be childlike to appreciate and avail ourselves of the blessings that our individual Guardian Angels are meant to be for us, those heavenly beings whom we celebrate today. No matter how much we may sometimes imagine it, we are never actually alone and left to our own devices. Let's recognize that fact and begin to live with confidence in the Father's love, and in its particular manifestation in these beings that have been given charge over us.
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