God’s Child

Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭1‬-‭6

“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It is such a human question to ask: Who is the greatest? From sports to politics to business to the arts, there is always an argument to be made about who is GOAT, the greatest of all time. It is also a foolish question. There are so many variables in life that it is impossible to compare one person to another across the decades of change. Yet it fascinates us.

We want to believe that there is really something like being the “greatest” because it justifies our attempts to create our own reality, to be our own saviors, to create our own ladders to climb and mountains to conquer. We want to believe it really matters to reach the top, to be King of the Hill.

Enter Jesus who deflates our balloons. He picks up a child and holds them before His arguing disciples. Let this child be your model, your hero, your goal. Notice the child’s humility, the child’s vulnerability. The child holds no confidence that they can do life on their own. That they can make up their own rules. That they can lord it over anyone else. They have no desire to be the greatest of all time in anything. Look at the child’s trust. Look at the childs fears. Let the child be your example.

In our dreams as children, we are the greatest. In our professions, we may entertain illusions of our greatness. Even when we approach what is greatness in the eyes of others, we know that we have not arrived and we may dream of even greater things to do and greater heights to climb.

The child in this story is not the focus; their an object lesson. How do we know that Jesus isn’t talking about literal children? The text tells us. Sinners have to be converted to enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Heaven does not belong to those who insist on being their own masters. Heaven does not belong to those whose lives are marked by pride, self-accomplishment, and independence. Heaven belongs to those whom God converts, so they lay aside their self-ambition and accomplishments, give up their ideas of position and power, and trust and obey their heavenly Father.

Heaven belongs to those who become like children in their relation to God. We need to be clear that Jesus is not celebrating childishness but calling for childlikeness.

The longing for greatness is a strong motivator. But Jesus said that greatness, like life and so many other things, cannot be obtained by seeking what we desire. Instead, greatness is given when we follow Jesus and choose to live as His true followers!!!

Father thank You for this day and breath of Your Word that sustains us. Lord open the floodgates of heaven and let Your abundant blessings rain down over my friend and family today. Lord we spend so much time asking the wrong questions, like, how do we fit in, when we should be asking, how do you want us to fit in. Lord make us a little child in our hearts so we give up any pursuit of personal greatness. Lord make us great in love, patience, humility and truth. Lord use my friend to be the light of Your love to all today. Be a blessing.

Father, we love You. Amen !