THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM

Matthew 18:1-4
1 In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” 2 Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in their midst, 3 and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. (WEB)

Children are easily overlooked in our society. They are not yet old enough to vote, so politically their opinion does not count. They are not yet strong enough to contribute to the workforce, they are not wise enough to lead, they are not financially equipped to be major contributors to the economy, etc.

I could list many more reasons why children are not considered to be 'great' in the kingdom of this world. They are helpless, dependent, vulnerable, etc. Yet when Jesus' disciples came to Him and asked Him who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, He asked them to bring a little child to the front of the crowd.

I am sure that the entire gathering would have been shocked at what Jesus said next... Unless we  change and become like little children, we will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven! In a power-based world system, this is most distressing!

It isn't the strong that God has chosen, but the weak. It isn't the wise, but the foolish. It isn't the rich, but the poor. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). It isn't the grown up, self-sufficient, independent ones, but those with a childlike heart. May each one of us embrace the glorious freedom of being little kids with a really big Heavenly Father today!

1 Corinthians 1:26-29
26 For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; 27 but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; 28 and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are: 29 that no flesh should boast before God. (WEB)