“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:1-4
We’ve had birthdays over the summer for people ranging in age from 5 to 95. The celebrations were vastly different. Moana did not make an appearance for the 95-year-old nor did we sing How Great Thou Art at the party for the 5-year-old. As stark as the differences at the parties, the similarities were clear. Birthdays include cake, and cards and presents, no matter how old you get. Indeed, the 95-year-old was just as keen on receiving a present as the 5-year-old.
I’ve been pondering the idea of needing to become like a child to enter the kingdom of God. Having attended the children’s party, I realize that children, lovable and adorable as they are, have a vein of greed running through them. They want to be first, want to have the biggest piece, want the best seat at the table and wonder if they can have the presents, too. No matter whose party it is, kids can and will cry if they want to. Our 5-year-old did.
While no one cried at the party for the 95-year-old, I am quite certain tears were shed before and after the event. Parties are not the same at 95. People you long to see are no longer able to come, some already in heaven, some too far away or infirm to attend. Cake doesn’t taste quite the same, hearing the guests is harder, even recognizing friends can be difficult. It’s not really greed but disappointment that things are no longer the way they used to be when youth made vision and hearing and taste easy. Old age reminds one of the joys of being a child, when freedom meant running across the lawn barefoot without a care in the world.
The irony of kids wanting to grow up and grown ups wanting to be young again brings the idea of becoming like a child into better focus for me. Children had little autonomy in Biblical times. Prescribed roles for girls and boys gave them little choice or voice. They were truly humble in the sense of not important or great in their society. Until they were recognized as adults they did what they were told or paid the consequences of disobedience. They were loved and valued, but not elevated.
The disciples were arguing about elevation, greatness, prestige when Jesus told them of the importance of being childlike. To me the disciples were being very childish when they asked the question, “Who is the greatest?” Like the kids at the party, they wanted to know how to be first, how to get the best seat, the biggest piece, the presents.
Jesus focused on a different aspect of being a child, that of humility or place. Children had no place other than under the authority of their parents. Jesus’s message was clear to the disciples, the one under authority of God, the one who follows, the one who serves and obeys without question, he is the greatest.
In essence Jesus was telling the disciples to quit looking for prestige, to quit focusing on what was in it for them, learning to follow freely, as those under the authority of God. That vein of greed flows through all of the children of God, no matter how old we are. What we need is to humble ourselves and trust that God will provide all that we need, be it physical, emotional or spiritual.
There is a cake that brings out the child in me. German Chocolate Cake is covered in a coconut pecan frosting that turns me into a childish, greedy being. My family does not like coconut, so when a friend requested a German Chocolate Cake for his birthday celebration I was excited. I also had to exhibit much self-control, because I could have easily consumed the entire cake. I was, after all, merely being a servant, making it for someone else! As I share this recipe with you, I have to remind myself to become humble like the children Jesus was talking about. It is not about me, it is about being like Jesus, who humbled himself and took on the form of a man to redeem us.
German Chocolate Cake
- 4 oz. German’s sweet chocolate (48% cacao)
- 3/4 cup butter
- 3 eggs
- 1 Tsp vanilla
- 2 cups Gold Medal Flour
- 1 tsp bakiing soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk (add 2 tsps vinegar to regular milk to create buttermilk)
Heat oven to 350*. Grease 8″ or 9″ round pans and line with parchment paper.
In microwave safe bowl melt chocolate and butter together. Stir until smooth and allow to cool.
In stand mixer combine sugar and chocolate mixture. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each egg is added. Blend in vanilla. Add salt, baking soda and half of the flour, mix well. Add remaining flour and buttermilk alternately, mixing well. When batter is smooth, pour into prepare pans and bake for 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
Remove from pans and cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3/4 cup evaporated milk
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
Combine first five ingredients in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat, at a simmer, until mixture begins to thicken, 5-10 minutes. Add vanilla and stir. Add pecans and coconut, stirring well. Allow to cool, then use as the filling and frosting for the cake. Tastes great straight from a spoon as well!
You can base frost this cake with chocolate buttercream frosting, piling the coconut pecan frosting in between the layers and on the top. I chose to only use the coconut pecan, not diluting that taste with chocolate. It is good both ways.