Why Jesus Loves Kids! Matthew 18:1-5

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

As we have seen Jesus loves to say things that challenge the status quo.  He is always re-defining the "haves" and "have nots".  It reminds me of a phrase I heard tossed around a lot growing up, "Children should be seen rather than heard."  Luke and Mark's gospels tell us that when the disciples were arguing about who would be greatest in the kingdom, Jesus knew their thoughts asked them the question, "Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven".   

In the previous stories in Matthew, Jesus had singled out Peter and said that on his confession he would build the church.  Then Jesus took only three disciples to the mountain, where he was transfigured before the three with Moses and Elijah making an appearance as well.  Perhaps Jesus found this an opportune time to teach them about humility.  

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 

Most likely the child was already in the household Jesus was staying at. The fact that he called the child to him, points to the fact that the child was old enough to hear him and come to him. 

"The fact that the child came when Jesus called says something about Jesus. He was the sort of man that children would come to willingly." (Guzik)

3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

So what might it mean to change and become like a child?  

Normally we would think as people get older, they are more apt to qualify as being ready to enter the kingdom of heaven.  But Jesus is pointing out the most important quality in regard to being ready to enter God's kingdom ... having faith like a child.  Complete trust which leads to a willingness to follow.  A child trusts until they are given a reason not to trust.  The disciples still had an agenda for Jesus and he knows they did yet understand what true greatness was all about.  

4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

Notice the importance of action when Jesus says, "whoever takes the lowly position of this child".  Humility is a choice.  We choose to put aside pride and ego and serve like Jesus did.  Jesus modeled this when he washed the disciples' feet.  Jesus chose humility when he stepped out of heaven, and became a human being with limitations like us.  Jesus chose to humble himself and go to be nailed to the cross by his enemies, the most humble and gracious act the world will ever see.

We hear a lot in our society about creating a path of "upward mobility".  "Getting on the fast track."  "Moving up the corporate ladder".  But the greatness for Jesus is about being "downwardly mobile".  Choosing the lowest seat at the dinner table.  Being the first to bring out the garbage or wipe the table down.  He said in another passage, "The greatest among you is a servant.  Whoever wants to be first must be last!"

5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Jesus closes by telling the disciples that as they welcome children in this way, they are inviting him into their midst.  

"It is easy to actually despise the humble. They are the losers; the kind who will never make it in our competitive and aggressive and get-ahead world. Yet when we despise humble people, we also despise Jesus." (Guzik)

Where do you need to become more child-like in your relationship with Christ and others? Where is God calling you to serve Him in humlity?  Does your church honor children?  Do they ever play a role in worship?  I.e. Singing, praying, giving testimony, working the sound booth or reading the lesson for the day. 

 Let's be the greatest in Jesus' eyes by humbling ourselves and becoming like little children!