Questions for Jesus | Who’s The Greatest?

About this series:

In each of the gospels we find Jesus asking questions of his disciples, the crowds and his opponents. And we also find Jesus being asked questions - by his disciples, the crowds and his opponents. Here, we will take 10 questions people asked of Jesus, the first from Luke’s gospel to set up the series and then the rest from Matthew’s gospel.

As well as working through the specific passages, we will aim to encourage people to consider what questions they would like to ask Jesus. The hope is that by looking at Matthew’s gospel in this way, we will see more clearly who Jesus is, be inspired to follow him and learn to be honest about our own questions as we grow to become more like him.

About this talk:

Muhammad Ali famously boasted, “I am the greatest!” Every culture has its own ideas of what makes someone great - from wisdom to military success; from physical appearance to financial wealth; from the car you drive to the house you live in. But Jesus reframes greatness in his kingdom by relating it to a very unexpected quality, especially in the context of the first century.

In Luke’s gospel this incident appears to be connected to an argument the disciples were having about who was the greatest (Luke 9:46; cf. Luke 22:24). Matthew does not include that detail, though his phrasing, “Who, then...” clearly means that the disciples were referring to some previous event, possibly to Peter’s prominence or to the preceding story. Through their question the disciples demonstrate they have a growing recognition that Jesus is the one who will usher in the kingdom, but also that they have almost no idea yet of how life is to be lived in that kingdom, as Jesus will explain in vs 2-5.

Jesus’ action of placing a child among them and saying “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,” has often been taken to mean that the followers of Jesus are to imitate children in, for example, their childlike trust. While this is true, it’s probably not what is meant here. Children had low status in the Jewish world and so his point is far more likely to be that life in the kingdom of heaven means being willing to be humble, lowly, not assuming status. Jesus’ own words make this clear: “whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

While the disciples are interested in who will be highest, greatest, first, Jesus says that in his kingdom the focus should be on going lower, being least, last. He, of course, makes a very similar point in ch 20 after the mother of James and John approached him to ask if “these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom” (20:21). There, Jesus takes the opportunity to say to the 12 “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave” (20:25-27).

While we are used to hearing such things in Christian settings, this is, no doubt, shocking to Jesus’ followers in the first century for whom status, privilege, honour, ranking in society are enormously important. The values of his kingdom were, and still are, highly countercultural in so many ways. But just as in chapter 18, Jesus’ point here is emphatically stressed by the fact that he is the example of taking “the lowly position of this child” - “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” There is no more humble, lowly position to take than that of becoming a servant and slave through laying down your life for others.

“And,” says Jesus, “whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Those who are lowly will not feel they are above associating with others who are of low status, but will welcome them and receive them in such a way that communicates how highly valued they truly are.

Audio only

Discussion Questions

Who Is the Greatest? (Matthew 18:1–5)

Theme: Humility and Service Over Hierarchy and Status

1. Opening Question (5 mins)

Kick things off with something light but on theme:

Q: In your opinion, what makes someone "great" in today's world? How does that differ from Jesus' definition of greatness?

2. Scripture Exploration (10 mins)

Read aloud: Matthew 18:1–5

Group Questions:

• Why do you think the disciples were asking "Who is the greatest?" — what were they really looking for?

• Jesus tells them to become like a child. What do you think he meant by that in the context of 1st-century culture?

• The Kingdom of Heaven is about participating in God's rule and reign here and now — His justice, peace, joy, and presence. Why do you think the pursuit of hierarchy and status will prevent us from participating in that?

3. Jesus' Example: Humility & Security (5 mins)

Read aloud: John 13:3–5

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up… and began to wash his disciples' feet."

Group Question:

• According to this verse, why was Jesus able to serve so freely and humbly? What was the source of His confidence?

Point: Jesus didn't serve despite knowing who He was — He served because He knew who He was.
When we're secure in God's love, we don't need to chase greatness — we can stoop to serve.

4. Reflection & Real-Life Application (10 mins)

Choose 2–3 of the following questions to explore with your group:

• Where in your life do you feel the pull toward status, ranking, or comparison?

• Has pursuing recognition or status ever led to hurt — for you or for someone else?

• What would "taking the lowly position of a child" look like in your context — at work, home, church, school?

• Think about a relationship in your life (marriage, friendship, family):
  What might it look like to "out-serve" instead of "out-rank" that person this week?

• What's one small act of hidden service you could do this week — something no one may notice but God will?

5. Identity Check: Who You Are (5 mins)

Read aloud: 1 John 3:1

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

Ask:

• How would truly believing this change the way you live?

• How does being secure in God's love free you to live differently — even when others chase status?

6. Prayer & Response (5 mins)

Invite the group to reflect quietly on one area where they're being invited into humility and service.

Then, pray together using something like this:

"Father, thank You that we don't need to earn Your love or fight for our place. Help us to become like children — humble, teachable, secure in You. May we serve not to be seen, but because we've been loved. Teach us to out-serve, not out-rank. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Optional Takeaway / Challenge:

This week, intentionally serve someone — without being asked, without expecting thanks, and without posting about it. Then reflect next week on what that did in your heart.