The Greatest

In Matthew 18:1-6, Jesus answers a loaded question with a curious response.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them ³ and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  ⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  ⁵ “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 would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Talk about a stern response!  Not only does Jesus put the disciples in their place in regards to their question, he also turns the focus to children.

Jesus taught that we can learn from children and we should receive them in HIS name.  He also harshly warns us not to influence them toward sin.  Clearly Jesus cared much about children and held a high priority for them.

This goes against the grain of culture.  It goes against the grain of our nature.  Children are typically pushed aside, forgotten about or considered the least of all in our society.  They are the lowest because they are the youngest.  Too small, too young, too insignificant.

This is not the way that God intends it to be.  Jesus made that very obvious.

So how important are children in your culture?  How important are children in our church?  How important are children in your life? 

Are children around us considered the greatest?  Or are they the least of these?

You may or may not have children around you.  Or may not even have young children related to you.  But God’s word is very clear about the priority that children should have in our lives.  Whether they are in our family or not, Jesus strongly encourages us to make children the greatest!

-Pastor Tom