Matthew 18: 1 - 4

Question:

Jesus’ disciples asked Him this question: Lord, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

You may wonder why they asked this question. Could it be jealousy or is it that they were scheming to get preferential position in the kingdom they thought Jesus was going to set up. You are entitled to think what you will.

But, notice that Jesus did not ask them the motive for seeking to know. But He directed His response to the question. This is because, if they get that right, it will automatically cancel out their motive for asking –as their will not be a place for whatever the reason was in the process of really becoming the greatest.

Response:

Jesus’ reply to the question was in two folds. Firstly, He made them aware that to become the greatest in the kingdom of heaven; you would first need to make it to the kingdom. In order for that to happen, you must change from your old way of the flesh or sight, and become a person led by the spirit or of faith. You must be born again, as He told Nicodemus in John 3. We must be converted because it is impossible to serve Him in our old way of life –flesh (Romans 8:6 – 8 says: 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God)

And, when that change happens, you will begin to manifest some character associated with children. That was why He brought the child as a living example. These characteristics that are found in a normal child and which we need to possess to enable us make it to the kingdom of heaven include:

i.         Ability to obey our Lord (John 10:27)

ii.       Trusting our Lord, easily (Ephesians 3:20)

iii.      Possession of a pure heart and clean hands (James 4:8)

iv.     Not regarding offences –children do not record offences, so the issue of forgiveness does not even arise!

v.       Separation from evil from evil (James 4: 7 – 8)

vi.     Readiness to serve others (Mark 9:33- 35)

 

The second part of Jesus’ answer was this: Having enlightened His disciples, Jesus went on to tell them that the one who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is the one who has the characteristics of a child and is humble. This is because pride destroys. Though we know this; many of us do not work to destroy pride in us before it destroys us, like it did to Lucifer. James 4: 6 & 10 tells us that God resists the proud.

Finally:

If you want to see the manifestation of God’s glory, you need to first, change –no matter what you think of yourself now.

Then, you need to come down from your high horse to the level where God can work with you.