Unless You Become Like Children…

“He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 18:2–3 NIV)

The disciples eagerly seeking to be the greatest in the kingdom, went to ask Jesus that very question. Who was the greatest?

But Jesus knowing their intention, answered them by calling to himself a child. A pure innocent child that knows nothing about being the ‘greatest’.

At that time, a child was seen as no more than a property that belonging to his parents. Raised to be seen and not heard, Rather merely to exist until they were grown.

But as was Jesus’ custom, he used what was ‘foolish’ to shame the ‘wise’.

Jesus brought forth a helpless child and said “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”. In other words, you must be humble, the least, a servant, to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

As people we strive and work to be the greatest, to be known and to achieve the best titles for ourselves. And we try to achieve that through our career, occupation, studies. But Jesus simply said ‘the least’ or ‘the humble’ is the one that is the greatest.

Therefore, let us be child-like and put on the the purest form of humility. Not caring about how we are perceived but wholeheartedly running after Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. For our stories and achievements don’t belong to us but in everything that we do, whether we eat or drink, let it be for the glory of Christ. For it is Him that lives in us. And maybe, just maybe then, will we have a chance at standing amongst The Greatest of the kingdom of Heaven.