1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, 3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me; 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depths of the sea.
TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:
Here we see the disciple's first attempt to find out who is "greatest" among them, although it's very subtle, isn't it?! I'm pretty sure that this one disciple was really banking on Jesus saying, "OH, why, you are!" It's like the person who feigns insecurity and self-deprecates, with the expectations that others will praise them and encourage them and give them all of their attention.
Well, the Greek word used for "greatest" within the disciple's question, besides being fixated on hierarchy and status, means to be literally or figuratively great, large, high, mighty, strong, loud... and older in years. Interesting. Because then Jesus gives us His definition.
To just get into the kingdom of heaven, we must "change", be "humble", and become like children. We must realize that we are NOT great! We are sinners! The Lord God is great (beyond anything we can ever imagine), and we need His salvation and His constant help and supervision - like a little child who depends on their parents for everything! But our first step is to humble our hearts and realize our sinfulness and need, and recognize that the Lord is God and that we need Him.
The next step is to "change"...
Remember that God's kingdom goes in the opposite direction of the world. The last shall be first and the first shall be last. The greatest is the least of these. Treat others as more important than yourself. To be master, we must be servant, yet even a slave! Strive not to be served, but to serve! There should be no prejudices and no preferential treatment. Can we do this in our own efforts? Maybe a little. But can we change our own hearts? No!
From the original Greek word, the definition of "change" can also be translated to the word "convert", which is (literally or figuratively) to twist or turn quite around or go in reverse... to turn, and turn again, and turn back again... to turn one's back to one who no longer cares for you... to turn one's self from one's course of conduct... to change one's mind... to repent... for the ultimate conversion is to be strengthened from the base!
There is no stronger foundation than the Lord God. The Lord is the only one who forgives, and the only one who can change us from the inside out. It's our choice and decision to want this change, but it is the Lord who changes us, and covers us with His righteousness, and gives us His indwelling Holy Spirit, causing us to be spiritually born again... He adopts us as His children, to be our heavenly Father for all eternity!
Children are the most powerless and most vulnerable members of society. While they are loved, they have no status, and no power or privileges apart from what they receive as total dependents on their parents. But let's be clear here, this is not talking about us as parents doting on our children and catering to their every whim, enabling them to become spoiled, selfish and self-serving. Our role as parents should emulate the Lord, in that we teach and equip them to become productive, fruitful adults who also have humble hearts, that of a servant, depending fully on the Lord, and in loving the Lord, striving to live in His will.
I taught our children that true success in life was to embrace their relationship with the Lord, trusting in Him and living in His will, all in His love, strength and guidance, all to His glory. And recently, I heard an interview with a believer who is terminal. Even with his very imminent death, his desire was to continue serving the Lord. And as a father, he wanted to encourage his children to continue serving the Lord. In fact, (and I like this idea very much)... whenever he saw his kids later in the day, instead of asking them how their day had gone, he would ask them, "Who did you serve today?" wow. I mean, everyday, I should be asking that of myself! And then asking the Lord to help me recognize the opportunities that He gives me, and then help me to be open and ready to serve!
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