DECEMBER 6
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 often overlooked in our society. They are too young to vote, so their opinions don't carry political weight. They are not strong enough to join the workforce, not wise enough to lead, and not financially equipped to be major contributors to the economy, among other reasons.
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 who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, He asked them to bring a little child to the front of the crowd.
I'm sure everyone gathered would have been shocked by what Jesus said next... Unless we change and become like little children, we will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven! In a world driven by power, this is very upsetting!
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 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)
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 often overlooked in our society. They are too young to vote, so their opinions don't carry political weight. They are not strong enough to join the workforce, not wise enough to lead, and not financially equipped to be major contributors to the economy, among other reasons.
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 who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, He asked them to bring a little child to the front of the crowd.
I'm sure everyone gathered would have been shocked by what Jesus said next... Unless we change and become like little children, we will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven! In a world driven by power, this is very upsetting!
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 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)