“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

- Matthew 18:1

There are three types of people in the world— those who are great in their own eyes, those who want to be great in the eyes of others, and those who are great in the eyes of King Jesus.

How does Jesus define greatness? ”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. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:1-4).

Putting away childish things, I am afraid many of us set our child-like humility out by the curb years ago. We've forgotten what child-like humility looks like.

We've forgotten what it is like to embrace our smallness. Feeling shame and guilt, we are no longer willing to express dependence on others— as Kira Bridges says, “children never question their smallness;” adults, on the other hand, run from it.

We've forgotten how to love and forgive unconditionally. A child's memory is astonishingly short; berated one minute, loving unconditionally the next, a child is quick to forgive and forget the grievances of others.

We've forgotten what it is like to consider others as more important than ourselves. The admiration a child has for his parents, for his older siblings, for the things great and small of this world is the essence of humility.

What is a child-like faith? Smallness. Unconditional love and forgiveness. Admiration for those around you.

When you consider God, do you feel small? When others sin against you, are you quick to forgive them like your heavenly Father is quick to forgive you? Do you admire God and love King Jesus above everything else? If you can answer yes to these questions, you are great in the Kingdom of God.

Press on,
Pastor Harp

Use This in Your Personalized Scripture Journal

As you reflect on Matthew 18:1, take time to write through these prompts:

·       How do I define greatness in my life?

·       Am I chasing recognition more than relationship with God?

·       Do I compare myself to others spiritually?

·       Where might pride be shaping my goals?

·       What would childlike humility look like for me today?

The disciples asked who was greatest in the kingdom. Jesus answered by pointing to humility. Greatness in God’s kingdom is not about status, influence, or visibility — it is about posture of heart.

Use this space to write a prayer asking God to reshape your understanding of success and cultivate humility within you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Matthew 18:1 mean?
It introduces Jesus’ teaching about greatness in the kingdom of heaven, leading into His call for childlike humility.

Why were the disciples asking about greatness?
They were influenced by worldly ideas of rank and importance.

How does Jesus redefine greatness?
By teaching that humility and dependence are central in His kingdom.

What is childlike humility?
It is trust, dependence, and freedom from prideful comparison.

How can journaling help reshape ambition?
Writing helps reveal motivations and realign goals with kingdom values.