Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 5Sample

The disciples often talked amongst themselves about greatness. In verse 1 of Matthew 18, we read: …the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘” So who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”’ They were looking forward to an earthly kingdom and a king who would vanquish Israel’s enemies, thereby ending all political suppression. So, their question to Jesus relates to the establishing of this long-awaited kingdom and they were interested in the positions Jesus had in mind for them in his cabinet! Jesus’ answer must have come as a shock: “…unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus’ sobering answer to his disciples’ question still rings true today. For His followers, greatness is defined by childlikeness (not childishness!). Greatness in God’s kingdom is the by-product of total reliance on the Great One, Jesus, who humbled himself, in a sense, became like a powerless child to make us great! But he went even further – Paul writes that he became a servant (or slave) and paid the ultimate price in dying on our behalf so that we could gain access to the kingdom of heaven through our adoption as God’s children! No performance, pedigree or position could secure this for us – only faith in Jesus! Have you turned to Jesus? If not, why not do so now?