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Sermon: The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (A) - 4th September 2011
St Alban's Anglican Church Epping 10 am
Readings: Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 149 Romans 13:1-10; Matthew 18:1-5
No need to remind the fathers in the congregation that today is Fathers’ Day. You have already been greeted with messages of love, and tangible signs of your children’s affection. That’s the way it should be! After all, doesn’t the bible give instruction as to the way children should relate to their parents - CHILDREN, OBEY YOUR PARENTS IN THE LORD FOR THIS IS RIGHT St Paul says, somewhat sternly in Eph 6.1 or, similarly, the proverb MY SON, KEEP YOUR FATHER’S COMMANDS (6.20).
But there is a reverse side! Paul goes on to say FATHERS, DO NOT EXASPARATE YOUR CHILDREN (6.4) and the Psalmist assumes that FATHERS ARE TENDER TOWARDS THEIR CHILDREN (10.3).
Jesus demonstrated an affectionate regard for children which was unique among the teachers and writers of his time. When the disciples rebuked those who brought little children to Jesus for a blessing, he said those timeless words, LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME TO ME AND DO NOT HINDER THEM (Matt 19.14).
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tellingly corrects the disciples who were seeking the formula that would bring them greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven. “UNLESS YOU CHANGE AND BECOME LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN, YOU WILL NEVER ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.”
What is it about a little child that teaches us kingdom values? As Jesus stood a little child among them he said WHOEVER HUMBLES HIMSELF LIKE THIS CHILD IS THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
A little child, trusting and unpretentious, has no idea that he or she is great; so in the Kingdom of Heaven, the greatest is not the one who is arrogant and self-assertive but the one who is least conscious of being great.
So J C Ryle could write “the surest mark of true conversion is humility.”
What a difference the values of the Kingdom of Heaven are to those of this world! Self assertion, the dictionary tells me, is the act of demanding recognition for oneself or of insisting upon one’s rights; the determined advancement of one’s own personality, wishes or views. Listed among its synonyms are audacious, immodest and pushy.
Of course, having a correct understanding of your own self-worth and value is important. Others should not take advantage of you, but things must be kept in perspective. The Bible gives this piece of sound advice: “DO NOT THINK OF YOURSELF MORE HIGHLY THAN YOU OUGHT BUT RATHER THINK OF YOURSELF WITH SOBER JUDGEMENT.”
It is Luke who records in his gospel that, at the last supper prior to Jesus betrayal and arrest, the disciples were still disputing about who would be the greatest. Listen to Jesus’ gentle correction: WHO IS GREATER, THE ONE WHO IS AT THE TABLE OR THE ONE WHO SERVES? IS IT NOT THE ONE WHO IS AT THE TABLE? BUT I AM AMONG YOU AS ONE WHO SERVES (Luke 22.27). John records that Jesus rose from the table, tied a slave’s apron around him, poured water into a basin and began to wash their feet. There was apparently no servant, and none of the disciples had volunteered to perform this menial task before the meal! It was such a vivid lesson to them in humility. It presents such a true picture of the Saviour who, in the words of an ancient Christian hymn:
DID NOT CONSIDER EQUALITY WITH GOD SOMETHING TO BE GRASPED BUT MADE HIMSELF NOTHING, TAKING THE VERY NATURE OF A SERVANT … HE HUMBLED HIMSELF AND BECAME OBEDIENT TO DEATH, EVEN DEATH ON A CROSS.”
The incident had a profound affect on Peter who had characteristically initially objected to the Lord washing his feet. Later in his first letter he writes CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH THE APRON OF HUMILITY TOWARD ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE ‘GOD OPPOSES THE PROUD BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.’ HUMBLE YOURSELVES THEREFORE UNDER GOD’S MIGHTY HAND THAT HE MAY LIFT YOU UP IN DUE TIME.
And how should true humility be expressed today - in the Church, in our families, in our community. The Bible gives this directive:
DO NOTHING OUT OF SELFISH AMBITION OR VAIN CONCEIT, BUT IN HUMILITY CONSIDER OTHERS BETTER THAN YOURSELVES. EACH OF YOU SHOULD LOOK NOT ONLY TO YOUR OWN INTERESTS BUT ALSO TO THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS (Phil 2:3-4).
The little child who stood in the middle of the circle of disciples was a visual example of true greatness. Jesus didn’t point to the pious religious leaders, or the conquering representatives of Roman power, but to a little child to be welcomed in his name. We can all to easily identify arrogance within politics or the media or self reliance amongst wealthy corporate executives, but let the words of Jesus speak to us this morning.
We can only possess the qualities necessary to attain the Kingdom of Heaven if we change from worldly perceptions of greatness and embrace the child-like attitude of humility.