At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:1-4

Doesn’t everyone want to be the greatest?  The “pet.”  The best at something – anything.  Don’t you love it when your name is called and better yet it’s called first!?  Being known, famous, adored is what most people want.  Even if we’re not honest enough to admit it, we want others to worship us.  We do!  This is not a new desire on man’s part.  It’s as old as time itself.  And to think that the disciples of Jesus – God in the flesh – wanted the same thing too is astounding.  They wanted to be adored by others and seen and Jesus’ favorite.  They wanted to be the greatest, the best.  They were in for a shock.

Jesus then illustrates His answer by bringing a child to the forefront.  This is the example of greatness.  Now know that it’s not child-ishness that He was highlighting but child-likeness.  And there is a profound difference.

Child-likeness Child-ishness

Trusting                                                      Silly

Simple                                                       Impatient

Real                                                           Thoughtless

Playful                                                        Impetuous

Eager                                                         Impulsive

Honest                                                       Rash

Spontaneous

Do you see the difference?  Jesus said that we can’t even ENTER the kingdom, much less be the greatest, unless we convert and become like a child.

Now let’s look at the word convert.  It means to turn around.  It’s similar to the word repent.  It’s a change of mind from what we were thinking to now thinking what God thinks.  It’s seeing our sin like He sees it.  It’s humility.  Then and only then can one even ENTER the kingdom yet Christ says that this one is the greatest.

The question remains – “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  The answer from heaven is, “the one who humbles himself like a child.”  Do you trust Jesus like a child?  Are you real with Him?  Honest and truthful?  Are you eager to obey Him?  Are you spontaneous enough to go when He says, “Go”?  Not exactly the world’s definition of greatness but then again Christ is the antithesis of just about everything in this world.

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