The Greatest In The Kingdom

James 3:16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. NKJV

The King of the Kingdom, Jesus, is our best example of humility

Jesus didn’t enter the world like a boastful world ruler; He came in humility as a baby and as a servant who came to die.

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus

Philippians 2:6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

Philippians 2:7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. NKJV

In the flesh, we are all rebels who want to be celebrities instead of servants; but Jesus says we must be as “Little Children”.

IV. Practical Application.

Jesus made it clear the way the Disciples acted toward the lowly of the world revealed whether they were actually related to Him.

Our fallen world tells us we should build our greatness by associating with those who are great.

Jesus said that a truly great person is someone who is willing to identify with the lowly; this is what the King Himself does.

This teaching from Jesus exposes our pride and our desire to be seen as the greatest.

Jesus exposed the Disciples ambition and basically communicated that their attitude was the very thing that made it impossible for them to understand the cross.

Many of us have come to expect the use of a caste system in India; but followers of Christ have all too often fallen into this kind of bigotry as well.

If we only seek to get near to those who are “great” by man’s standards; we are not living like our King, nor are we becoming the Kingdom citizens He has called us to be.

Jesus exposed the Disciples’ ambition and called His Disciples to receive Him and the Father, by receiving humble children.

Again, Matthew 18:2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,

Matthew 18:3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. NKJV

Let’s end discussing what Child like faith involves.

Molly Howard has said, “Having faith like a child means we should have confidence in the promises of Christ and faith even in situations where we cannot see.”

Jesus says whoever is humble like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. It requires putting aside our own will.

We also have to admit that we do not always know what is best, so we have to humble ourselves, which is unnatural for people.

Children trust what their parents, teachers or other adults say without doubts or fear. For example, when a young child is shown a magic trick, their eyes light up with wonder.