At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Have you ever looked back on a time you were asking a question to a leader and realized: “I really was asking the wrong question?”

I have done this. A few times I wanted to know early on what I needed to do for a raise at work. One or two months in I would ask: “Can you map out the path to a raise for me?” What I realized is that the boss was not ready for this conversation. He wanted to first see how committed I was to the work — the company mission and vision.

I think this is the case here too. The disciples were wondering how the pecking order would go in heaven. Funny thing … Peter had just seen the transfiguration, with likely the two who would sit by Jesus in Heaven, there, Elijah and Moses. And still he is wondering what qualifications were needed to be the greatest.

It is not a bad question, but a better question would have been: “Lord, how can I be the best servant of all?”

So Jesus pointed to a child and made an analogy. Children are lowly. They also don’t worry about power and position much. They trust their parents completely. And they have good hearts and aren't afraid of failure.

Jesus wants his disciples to think about asking better questions. He wants them to question like a humble servant would.

In contrast a little later in Matthew, Jesus asked God a question, on the Mount of Olives: “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭39‬). This statement could be also restated as a question: “If possible, can you take this cup from me?” This quality question demonstrates the toughness of the trial and also the humility of an obedient servant. He finished by saying: “Yet not as I will, but as you will”.

How do I improve the questions I ask of God?

Lord, thank you for how you challenged your disciples and how you challenge me. Help me to ask you better questions. I want to seek after the things on your heart. I want to be a servant of all.