Matthew 18:1

[Kabone]

The disciples asked ‘who is the greatest in heaven?’ I find this a very odd question.
I think in Matthew 5 Jesus explained who the greatest and least are. I’m assuming chronologically Matthew 5 occurred before Matthew 18. Was it Jesus who first brought up the existence of a hierarchy in heaven?
It seems the disciples felt it was not enough to be one of the chosen here on earth, but they must maintain that status in heaven.
Is doing the things that will get me into the kingdom of heaven not enough that I should strive instead to be considered the greatest? Maybe it’s just me, but trying to be holier than thou seems a bit prideful.

 

[The Gospel of Christ]

The disciples asked ‘who is the greatest in heaven?’ I find this a very odd question.
I think in Matthew 5 Jesus explained who the greatest and least are. I’m assuming chronologically Matthew 5 occurred before Matthew 18. Was it Jesus who first brought up the existence of a hierarchy in heaven?
It seems the disciples felt it was not enough to be one of the chosen here on earth, but they must maintain that status in heaven.
Is doing the things that will get me into the kingdom of heaven not enough that I should strive instead to be considered the greatest? Maybe it’s just me, but trying to be holier than thou seems a bit prideful.

The disciples’ question reveals a misunderstanding of the Kingdom. Jesus does acknowledge greatness in heaven, but He defines it in radically different terms: humility, not status. In Matthew 18, He answers their ambition by pointing to a child — lowly, dependent, unnoticed — and says that unless they become like that, they won’t enter the Kingdom at all.

So yes, there is “greatness” in the Kingdom, but it’s the opposite of pride. It's not about being holier than others, but about becoming nothing so Christ can be everything. Striving to be great by the world’s standards is condemned; striving to be like Christ — humble, obedient, servant-hearted — is the only greatness Heaven recognizes.

 

[Kabone]

Thank you, good stuff. The scripture seems pretty clear on what it takes to be considered the greatest. Matthew 5:19 states what it takes to be considered the least. What I’m trying to understand is if Jesus described a hierarchy in heaven, then there must be some importance to your status in heaven.