Reversal in the True Kingdom

Matthew 18:1-3 ESV
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”

We enter the Kingdom of God on this earth at salvation. We may be citizens of America, but our dedication is to God. He becomes the voice of reason inside our head. To enter this Kingdom, He has to be our everything. Like a little child who depends on its care giver or parents for everything, we depend on God spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Children were not given a lot of respect in the first-century Jewish society, and they didn’t have many rights. Children were more of a possession of their parents. Obviously Jewish parents loved their children, but they were not an important element when they were small.

Jesus intentionally used a child to communicate the values of the kingdom of God. He had come to rescue humanity from sin and death. He also wanted the world to understand that the principles of the kingdom were a reversal of what they had thought it to be.

Jesus took a child and began telling the disciples that they need to become like little children or they would not even enter the kingdom of God, much less be great in His Kingdom.  Jesus’s words would have been shocking and absurd to that society. It is obvious that the disciples did not understand how different God’s kingdom was from every other kingdom that had ever existed.

To enter into God’s kingdom cannot be gained by demonstrating one’s personal accomplishments. Those who would enter God’s Kingdom must make themselves humble like little children, powerless over their circumstances and their own lives. They are completely dependent on God to provide for them what they need.

Prayer:
Lord, it had to be shocking to those that heard this, they thought they were great in the Kingdom, only to find out that they had missed the mark completely. The great reversal of thought and value of entering the kingdom is extremely eye opening. Help us Lord to come to You with humility, trusting, hoping, believing, knowing that You are all we need. In Your name Lord Jesus, Amen!