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The Greatest Person in the Kingdom of Heaven

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(Matthew 18:4)

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

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Jesus taught God's words to the people.

Many people always gathered around Jesus to listen to his words.

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On one occasion, Jesus' disciples came to Jesus and asked this question,

"Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

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When Jesus was on the earth, the Roman Emperor was the greatest.

Kings were considered the greatest, too. The disciples wondered if only the strong people could be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

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 After listening to that question, Jesus called to a little child.

"Hey little one, come here." The child came to Jesus.

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Jesus had the child stand among the people and then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

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The disciples were surprised.

They wondered why Jesus said that.

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Jesus continued, "Whoever humbles oneself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

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We call humility not to raise oneself up.

Jesus said that only those who have humble hearts like little children can enter the kingdom of heaven.

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What does it mean to have the kind of heart of a little child that Jesus talked about? What is the humble heart that will be raised up into heaven?

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A child can do nothing by oneself.

Whatever a child does, they need their mother's help.

So they always look for their own mother.

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To humble oneself is to depend on God like little children and to seek God's help.

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In addition, children have pure hearts that obey their mother's words. Whatever their mother says, a child has a good heart that trusts their mother and does just as she says. Like this, the humble heart has a pure heart obeying God's words.

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Jesus said to his disciples,

"Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."

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People like to welcome those who have a good appearance but ignore those who look humble or not important.

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Jesus said if someone has the kingdom of heaven, he does not act like that nor discriminates against others but treats everyone kindly.

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Therefore we should treat each person impartially.

Even though someone looks poor, if we welcome them, we will receive the same blessing as welcoming Jesus.

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If you want to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, from now on we should ask God how to act every moment. And we should listen to God's words and live following his words with humble hearts.