Jesus’ Reverse Psychology on Dependence - Martin Wiles

Then he said, “Anyone who wants to be the first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Then he put a little child among them. Mark 9:35-36

As a middle school teacher, one of my tasks is to instill responsibility in the students. At their age, most of them buck my efforts. Although I give them due dates for their papers and projects, most want me to remind them. And even though the school handbook states a student must consult their teacher about make-up work, many don’t and receive a reduced grade or even a zero. Some parents think we’re overly harsh on their young children, but we know teaching children responsibility—even when it stings--will benefit them later in life.

Jesus, however, used reverse psychology. While on the way to Capernaum, his disciples argued about which of them was the greatest. Ironically, Jesus didn’t say it was the one who was the most responsible but rather the most dependent one. And he put a child in their midst to demonstrate it.

Jesus’ intention was a little different. Total dependence on someone else is risky and unhealthy. But total reliance on him is essential and spiritually healthy. Children, at least initially, have total trust in their parents. Jesus wants the same from us. Total trust leads to a spiritually fulfilled life. Jesus will never disappoint us and will always guide us in the right direction.

As with their teachers, children often think their parents know everything. Later, they discover they don’t. Jesus, on the other hand, does know all things. He is omniscient, and since he is, we can place our total trust in Him.

Children also think their parents can do everything. Getting, “I thought you knew how to do everything,” when a child discovers their parents aren’t all-knowing isn’t unusual. Jesus, however, can do all things. He’s all-powerful—omnipotent.

And perhaps most basic of all, children believe their parents will care for them—now and forever. Many do; unfortunately, many don’t. Jesus always will. He never abandons his children.

Learn to trust Christ like a child.

Father, help me trust you as children do their parents. 

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