“Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” — Matthew 18:1
It is a question that still sounds familiar today. Who is the greatest? Who has the most influence? Who holds the highest position? Who has accomplished the most? We may not always ask the question aloud, but the desire for recognition, position, and significance can easily find its way into our hearts.
When the disciples asked Jesus who was greatest in the kingdom of heaven, His answer must have surprised them. Jesus did not point to the strongest leader, the most gifted teacher, or the most accomplished disciple. Instead, He called a child to Himself and placed the child in their midst.
Jesus was about to redefine greatness.
A Child and a Different Kind of Greatness
Jesus told His disciples that unless they turned and became like children, they would not enter the kingdom of heaven. He then declared, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4).
In the culture of Jesus’ day, children did not possess the position, rights, or influence of adults. They were dependent upon others for their provision, protection, and place within the family.
That dependence helps us understand Jesus’ lesson.
A child receives what he needs from his father. His security is not based upon what he has accomplished. His provision does not come from his own strength. His position in the family is not something he has earned. He lives under the care, authority, provision, and name of his father.
Jesus was showing His disciples that greatness in God’s kingdom is not about becoming more independent, important, or impressive. It is about becoming increasingly dependent upon our heavenly Father.
The Power of Our Influence
Jesus then moves from the humility of a child to a serious warning about causing others to stumble.
He makes it clear that temptation will exist in this world, but He pronounces sorrow upon those who become instruments of temptation in the lives of others. His language is intentionally strong. It would be better to experience personal loss than to allow something in our lives to become a source of spiritual destruction.
This reminds us that our influence matters to God.
Our words matter. Our example matters. Our attitudes matter. The way we use our freedom matters. The way we treat those who are spiritually young, vulnerable, or dependent matters.
The question is not simply, “Am I free to do this?” A follower of Christ must also ask, “What influence could this have on someone else?”
Greatness in the kingdom is not measured by how many people notice us. It is revealed in how carefully we influence the people God has placed around us.
Valuable in the Eyes of the Father
Jesus then brings the conversation back to the little ones: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones”(Matthew 18:10).
What society might consider insignificant, God considers valuable.
A child may have occupied a lowly position in that culture, but low position did not mean low value to God. Jesus teaches that these little ones are known by the Father, watched over by the Father, and precious to the Father.
The Father’s heart is revealed in His desire that not one of these little ones should be lost.
What a powerful contrast. The disciples began by asking, “Who is the greatest?” Jesus directs their attention toward another question: “Who is valuable to the Father?”
The answer changes everything.
Under the Name of the Most High
The world teaches us to seek position, build our reputation, make a name for ourselves, and pursue recognition. Jesus presents another path.
The way of the kingdom is humility.
It is dependence.
It is protecting rather than exploiting the vulnerable.
It is using our influence to help others walk toward God rather than becoming an obstacle that leads them away.
It is finding our identity not in the name we can build for ourselves, but in the Name under which we have been invited to live.
Perhaps that leaves us with an important question:
Why spend our lives trying to make a name for ourselves when we have been invited to come under the Name of the Most High?
True greatness is not found in how high we can rise above others. It is found in humbling ourselves before the Father, depending upon Him for everything we need, valuing those whom He values, and using our influence to lead others toward Him.
In the kingdom of heaven, greatness is not independence from the Father.
Greatness is dependence upon the Father.