What makes a person great? When we humans think of the greatness of people, we usually think of accomplishments. We might think of great military minds or wise and just leaders of countries, of great orators and speakers, of strong and mighty men of valor, heroes who sacrificed themselves for others, maybe inventors, researchers, and explorers whose discoveries changed our world, or athletes who could run, jump, kick, throw, or hit greater than their peers or who performed at their highest level at just the right time, maybe you think of coaches or whole teams. Let us not forget about great entertainers, composers, vocalists, instrumentalists, painters, authors, or other artists, and the list could go on. But what about in the Church? Who is the Greatest there? The disciples wanted to know. “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” They asked. Might it be a hero or heroine of the faith? Mary? Abraham, Noah, Moses, Ruth, Hannah, Jeremiah, David, John the Baptist? No, that is not what the disciples were thinking about, they were thinking about themselves. They were thinking about who would have the greatest honor and glory, the greatest power and authority in the coming rule and kingdom which they thought Jesus was bringing. It didn’t matter that by this time Jesus had told them not once but twice already that He as the Christ, Son of Man, would be delivered up to death and on the third day rise again. They were still thinking in terms of earthly glory, of earthly gain, they were still thinking as Simon Peter was in last Sunday’s text (16:23) in which Jesus rebuked him for thinking not on “the things of God but upon the things of man.” What is the response of Jesus this time? He doesn’t rant or rebuke, but He reveals the profound truth of what makes a man or woman great in the eyes of God. He called to Himself a small child, a “paidion”, in truth, a toddler. So, what are the qualities of a toddler? Have they accomplished anything besides a first step, gaining their first teeth, maybe saying their first words? Are they great orators, artists, geniuses, athletes, or heroes? Maybe someday, but not then, not yet. In fact, a toddler is awkward and prone to falling. A baby that still needs constant care. Those of you who have spent any time around toddlers know that they need more care and attention than a newborn. Not because they are so much more helpless, but because they are into everything and more likely to hurt themselves by grabbing things they shouldn’t, eating things that could be harmful, walking into traffic, falling, getting stuck. You name it. They are totally dependent upon their parents and the kindness and mercy of others. They need constant watching. They cannot defend themselves, they cannot provide food for themselves, they cannot take care of their basic needs, still not potty trained, they may fuss a lot. What kind of an accomplishment is that? Maybe greatness in the kingdom of heaven has nothing to do with accomplishment or even worthiness. Maybe that was the point that Jesus was making. Young children, toddlers, practically babies, are humble in that they are totally dependent upon the mercy of their parents. Unless the parents have proven themselves unfaithful and untrustworthy, little children depend upon their parents in totality and trust them completely to take care of them. They depend upon their parents not only to provide the necessities of life, but also to provide for teaching what is right and wrong, the truth about sin and righteousness, about God’s Word. They depend on parents to find that proper balance of providing without spoiling, of discipline without abuse, of teaching without misguiding. Jesus said: “Unless you turn, (that is: convert) and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” This is the key to greatness in God’s eyes. It is not in earthly accomplishments, it is not in strength of arm, mind, or mouth, it is neediness. This means understanding and recognizing that you are dependent completely upon God and His mercy, His patience, His good graces and love to provide for you. It is He who provides not only for your earthly and bodily needs, but also for teaching you, guiding you, and providing for you forgiveness of sin, mercy, truth, and salvation. He has been faithful though we and all people have not been faithful. We like the disciples who wanted to be the greatest, are naturally greedy, self-centered, self-promoting, self-righteous ungrateful brats. We ungratefully take some gifts which God has provided but we want more. He comes to us to turn us from the danger of our sinful ways by His Word and His faithful ministers, but we often respond like naughty petulant toddlers who cover their ears and start singing or yelling loudly to drown out His voice. When something goes right, we might be grateful for a moment. Maybe when they have done something for us, we will think to thank our parents, or our spouses or teachers, but we may forget who it is who provided for us those parents, that spouse, those teachers, who works through them for our good. When something goes wrong, when our plans are dashed, when tragedy occurs, when life’s hurricanes come, we are quick to cast blame upon God. The world does this too. It forgets about God when things are good, but when evil arises they use it as an excuse for their unbelief: “If God is good or loving why does He let evil happen? They give no thought to the reality that calamities are a result of our sin and a sign for the world to turn and repent. It is God our heavenly Father who is our shelter and strength against the evil in the world, the evil of the devil, the evil within our own hearts and minds, and the calamities that come into this life. It is He who has provided a Savior and Good Shepherd to rescue us sheep who love to stray, naughty children who disobey, who sin and then run away. The only thing that we have accomplished on our own is sin and unbelief, of spoiling that which was unspoiled, by letting go of joy in the eternal hope of God’s love for the sad loneliness of the world which is but passing away. Cut out the temptation to sin from yourself, by converting, repenting, and recognizing that you are like a helpless child who has gotten into trouble and danger. Look to the cross and find hope and help in One stronger than you. A parent greater than any other. Stop running away from the voice of God in Jesus Christ. He has come to you, and he has provided for you the greatest gift in Himself. Jesus came to be the greatest by becoming the least. Though He was the Son of God, He humbled Himself to be born in human flesh as the Son of Man to be obedient to the Law in perfection because the rest of God’s children and creation were not obedient and were not perfect. He came to redeem us who were under the curse of the Law and under the threat of eternal damnation and punishment. Because of our accomplishments of sin upon sin, because of the times that we have failed to believe and teach what is right and true, because we have caused others to be scandalized by our behavior, we deserved to have a millstone around our necks and cast into the sea of hellfire, but He has loved us and it is not His will that you or me, one of His little ones, should perish. Therefore, Jesus died upon the cross so that your sins would be upon Him, so that you could become reconciled again to God your Father and creator by the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. He has not despised you, but through water and His Word in baptism, He has brought you to Himself. He has washed you of your sins by the blood of His perfect Son and your Christ and redeemer, Jesus. For the sake of His Son, God the Father has made you His son or daughter. He has converted you and brought you back from your place of stumbling and condemnation by the repentance and forgiveness of your sins. You are now His child. Become great in Him. Great in receiving His gifts, His love, His kind and tender mercies which are new every day. Become great in being grateful to Him remembering and praising Him as He gives you not only your life now and the blessings of this life, but His grace for eternal life in His Son. Be great in faith, love, forgiveness, and service to your neighbor. But more than that, be great in being “needy” towards God knowing how much you need what He grants to you with Fatherly devotion. Therefore, gladly come and receive with thanksgiving the blessings of His Word and teaching here and in Bible Study. Through His Word, the Holy Spirit trains you by His strength to grow up in faith and understanding. Receive the Word made flesh in the body and blood of His Son, Jesus Christ in this Eucharist as we give thanks to Him and celebrate the victory which He has given by His loving death and resurrection. He has gathered us in His name and He is here with us coming to us in His Word and Sacraments. Our Heavenly Father will never spoil, abuse, or misguide you. He rebukes us when we need it, but only to lift us, love us, and comfort us with the good news of forgiveness of sins in the message of Jesus Christ crucified and raised. He loves you and gives you His power to live in His love reflecting that love to others. Bring your neighbors, family, coworkers to share in this, to be raised in this Truth and life. You are then by His gifts privileged to abide under the shelter of His Fatherly Hand protected from the harm of devil, world, or the condemnation of your flesh. Receive, believe, enjoy, be nourished, satisfied, and humbled to receive His blessings: His forgiveness and mercy in Jesus Christ. The Greatness of His love is accomplished in your salvation and by faith you will enter the kingdom of heaven and will dwell with Him forever for Jesus’ sake, Amen. Pr. Aaron Kangas