Title: high person, low person
high person, low person
child
According to the text, the disciples had an argument over who was the highest among them. This is the part that makes me wonder why the disciples who lived with Jesus and listened to the word directly were not at this level. In particular, considering the fact that in the course of Jesus' public life, the crisis of being crucified was heightened, the disrespectful behavior of the disciples seems pitiful. But so are we. Like them, we usually live in a war of nerves and quarrels over who is higher. In this respect, it seems right that we are people who cannot do anything without the grace of God.
Today's story is also recorded in the other Synoptic Gospels. Looking at this, the historical authenticity of this story seems to be very high. The first recorded Gospel of Mark begins with the question of Jesus, “What did you quarrel over on the road?” (Mark 9:33). Unlike Mark and Luke, Matthew's Gospel does not mention the fact that the disciples quarreled, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (Matthew 18:1) This statement of Matthew also indirectly confirms that the disciples were very interested in their status.
According to the Gospel of Luke we read together, Jesus took a child, set him aside, and said to his disciples: “Whoever receives such a child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me” (48a). At that time, children were not recognized as full-fledged persons. Children are not at all suitable for the high positions that the disciples were interested in. Not a single person paid any attention to a child who didn't even count. Greek and Roman teachers did not put children before them. Even if I didn't, I could teach tolerance, humility, and courage. But Jesus was completely different. Specifically, he said this, referring to the children. “If you accept children, you accept me.”
The children Jesus refers to not only refer to those who are biologically younger, but also to all those who live at the bottom of a society. They're so low that they don't even think of going up to the top. They don't even have the concept of low and high places. They may be the untouchables of India, or they may be people who work 24-hour shifts in apartments or university security offices. People who are in a position no one wants to be smart.
Jesus told us to accept the children who were at the lowest level in society at that time. This doesn't just mean cherishing children, it's a call for all relationships to rise to a new level. It is saying that we need a dimension of life that accepts everyone as a person. The reason Jesus chose children is because we are doing well without talking about relationships with high-ranking people. Because they try to look good to high people, but ignore low people. But on the other hand, if you think about it a little more calmly, modern people do not have normal relationships with not only low-level people but also high-ranking people. We can't all accept each other. If we can accept children and people of that status, then we will be able to restore normal relationships with people of high status.
In the name of Jesus!
But Jesus said to receive children “in my name.” Originally, “in the name of Jesus” was a phrase used to show some power. It is a term used to cast out demons or to heal sick people. However, in today's text, it is expressed to receive children in the name of Jesus. What does this mean?
At its simplest, the expression may refer to the importance of discipleship. It means that the disciples of Jesus must presuppose the fact that they are disciples of Jesus in whatever they do. Going a little further, it may mean that the work of the church helping people in lower social positions, such as children, should be for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ, not just for welfare or service. However, I suspect that the idiom “in my name” may have been used in a different meaning from the previous argument, based on the fact that it is associated with Jesus' miracles. In other words, accepting a child is like working a miracle. This has two meanings.
First, accepting a child is as difficult as working a miracle. It is almost impossible for the average person to deeply accept an object that is not helpful to him or even bothers him. Just as I don't have the miraculous powers, I don't have the power to accept children. You can mimic it a bit, but it doesn't last long.
Second, accepting children is truly a miracle of God. It is the channel through which God's salvation takes place. Becoming a society that accepts the lowly socially is like the opening of the kingdom of God.
In this regard, the disciples who follow Jesus are those who are waiting for these miracles to happen. These are the people who throw their entire beings so that such a miraculous revolution can happen in this society. Perhaps we cannot achieve that on our own. The church has no such power. Just as salvation comes only from God, so also the reception of children comes from God. As disciples who believe and follow Jesus, we must at least not hinder God's such things from happening. Furthermore, we must wait for such things to happen through us, and prepare ourselves to the best of our ability. Wouldn't it be great if these things could be expanded little by little through us as disciples of Jesus? Jesus said that participating in this life is “receiving me.”
children and god
Jesus went on to say: “If you accept me, you receive the one who sent me.” Then, in the end, it means that those who accept children are those who accept God. You can compare these words with a diagram of three circles. The smallest circle is the child, the larger circle around it is Jesus, and the outermost circle is God. It is a diagram that almost coincides with children and God. This is a very radical statement. It is because children can engrave the meaning of God.
Is this really true? If we accept a child as a person, is that the same as accepting Jesus and God? Is it possible to say that those in a low position like children: foreign workers, single mothers, alcoholics, orphans and widows, and vagrants are God? Taking care of them personally and being one with them in heart is the most important thing for a Christian. However, it cannot be said that children or children-like persons are God Himself. Although God may appear in the same reality as such people, it cannot be said that they are God. So, is this schema of the child, Jesus, and God described by Jesus wrong? Is the word just a symbol?
high and low
The conclusion of Jesus delivered by Luke in today's sermon is as follows. “The lowest among you is the highest.” (48b) In these words, the fixed structure of low and high that people think of is now complete and dismantled. Children's seats are rather high. The shame of the cross is the greatest glory.
Even if I explain it this way, I don't think my daughters will realize it. The highs and lows are so clearly organized in my daughters' heads that it would be difficult for them to think otherwise. I hate to study, but in order to avoid a low position, I have to study in order to rise to a high position. The thoughts of other ordinary believers will not be much different here. You or your children will be proud to be judges, lawyers, doctors, and entrepreneurs at the top of society. Interest in high places. The greatest concern in the Christian life of the church also lies in the revival of the church. How many believers think that accepting a small church that cannot stand on its own is the same as accepting God?
I'm not saying that people's simple thoughts like that are weird. This is not to say that you should intentionally live poorly or that you should be left behind in your social life. Or that we should always be with the poor and marginalized. Although the Christian faith places importance on poverty and an ethical life, it does not force it.
We must not lose sight of the fact that today's message was given to the disciples who were arguing with each other about who is the highest. All people live with the absolute values of high positions, noble character and cultural life, and elegant religious life. Jesus was saying that the reign of God is fundamentally different from that. God works his salvation even in places that people consider lowly. Publicans and sinners are also descendants of Abraham. No, they are closer to the kingdom of God than the Pharisees because they do not promote their own achievements.
Ladies and gentlemen, today's message is a warning to know how petty our thoughts about high and low are. This paradox that the lowest is the highest is to be understood practically. This statement is correct in that the reality of salvation joy, freedom, peace, and love is a gift from God to us, no matter how high or low it is. The person who has received this gift is not shy, no matter how lowly he is, and he is not arrogant in front of lowly people. Together with them, we do our best to work out the salvation of God. In life like this, high and low don't really mean anything.