Respect Everyone

Matthew 18:10: "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."

Just prior to this statement, Jesus had experienced the Transfiguration in which He appeared in glorious splendor before his disciples, Peter, James, and John. Yet even with this magnificent display of God's greatness, the disciples were not overly impressed; for, following this majestic presentation of God, the disciples argued among themselves as to who was the greatest. Jesus previously had given the disciples the power to cure diseases, to cast out demons, and to preach the gospel. With their ministry "successes," the disciples developed the "I'm the greatest!" syndrome and took their eyes off of worshipping the true Lord. Instantly, their Divinely-provided power was gone, and they were unable to achieve anything that they previously accomplished. Still, this loss of Divine power did not seem deter their consumption with personal greatness.

Knowing the disciples' thoughts, Jesus responded by calling a small child into their presence. This child would have had little respect among his people due to his lack of years, experience, and contribution to society; yet, this child would have been humble and responsive enough to be obedient to the proper authority figures in his life. Jesus used this illustration to teach the disciples that they needed to have this same level of humility and pliable spirit in their adulthood if they wanted to be considered great in the kingdom of heaven. God had no use for haughtiness and self-centeredness; He desired His people to be submissive to His Sovereign Right as Lord.

Arrogance had (and has) no place in God's plans and purposes. When we begin to think too highly of ourselves to the detriment of others, not only do we lose our effectiveness for the kingdom, but we have to deal with God's response to such a prideful spirit. Most sobering is the passage mentioned above, namely that the angels proclaim before God's throne when one of His humble servants are denigrated by the arrogant and the self-centered. God is not willing to be mocked (Galatians 6:7); nor will He tolerate the contempt of His loyal subjects who one day will be the greatest in His eternal kingdom.