GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM - Matthew 18:1-6

GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM - Matthew 18:1-6
What Does it Say?  About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea
How Does it Apply?  The disciples asked Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus called a little child to Him and told the disciples that the greatest in the kingdom is the one who humbles himself to become like a little child.  Not only is the most humble person the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, but only those who humble themselves will be allowed into the kingdom.  It is easy to look around and see pride in other people, but not so easy to admit that we are not as humble as we need to be.  To be humble is to be teachable.  To be teachable means that we have to stop talking and start listening.  There will be times when we meet people who think they know it all and want everyone else to listen to what they have to say and be impressed by how much they know.  We are not only told to be humble ourselves, but we are not to cause someone else to sin.  On our own, this is not an easy thing to do, but with God's help we can do all things including encourage each other when we fail.  We don't know what is going on in someone else's life or why they are coming across as prideful. It could be insecurity, baggage from the past or an inaccurate estimation of themselves.  When we are frustrated by a seemingly prideful person, ask God to help us see them as he sees them and show us how to love them.  Then respond accordingly and let God use us to help someone enter or grow in the kingdom of heaven.