'At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying,
.. Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
And Jesus called a little child unto Him,
.. and set him in the midst of them, and said,
.... "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children,
...... ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
........ Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child,
.......... the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ... "
(Mat 18:1-4)
Hi there,
As with all Scripture, we need to consider every verse in the light of the context in which it comes, don't we? For only then can we get a true understanding of it's meaning. The question asked by the disciples of the Lord Jesus. which brought forth this response, is vital to it's understanding. The question was, 'Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?'
* This determines which child-like characteristic the Lord is highlighting, doesn't it? Which is HUMILITY. Yet His answer says so much more than that, doesn't it? It says:-
- Except ye be converted, (i,e., turn around)
- and become as little children,
- ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
- Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child,
the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'
* The disciples needed a change of heart, for their reasoning was not good. They were disputing as to who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (Mark 9:33-34). The Lord Jesus had to show them that it was the one, who like Himself, humbled himself, and became obedient, even unto death, who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Philippians 2:5-11 & Hebrews 11)
'Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made Himself of no reputation,
.. and took upon Him the form of a servant,
.... and was made in the likeness of men:
...... and being found in fashion as a man,
........ He humbled himself,
.......... and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him,
.. and given Him a name which is above every name:
.... That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
...... of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
........ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
.......... to the glory of God the Father.'
* The glory of God the Father was His object.
Praise His Holy Name!
* Mark's gospel, and that of Luke records this exchange between the Lord and His disciples slightly differently:-
'And He sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them,
If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
And He took a child, and set him in the midst of them:
and when He had taken Him in His arms, He said unto them,
Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me:
and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me.
(Mar 9:35-37) - see also:- (Luke 9:47-48)
* How good it is to compare Scripture with Scripture. How rewarding it can be, can't it?
* How good to read in Mark 9, how the Lord took that little child in His arms and held him close.
Praise God!
Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
.. Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
And Jesus called a little child unto Him,
.. and set him in the midst of them, and said,
.... "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children,
...... ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
........ Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child,
.......... the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ... "
(Mat 18:1-4)
Hi there,
As with all Scripture, we need to consider every verse in the light of the context in which it comes, don't we? For only then can we get a true understanding of it's meaning. The question asked by the disciples of the Lord Jesus. which brought forth this response, is vital to it's understanding. The question was, 'Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?'
* This determines which child-like characteristic the Lord is highlighting, doesn't it? Which is HUMILITY. Yet His answer says so much more than that, doesn't it? It says:-
- Except ye be converted, (i,e., turn around)
- and become as little children,
- ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
- Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child,
the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'
* The disciples needed a change of heart, for their reasoning was not good. They were disputing as to who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (Mark 9:33-34). The Lord Jesus had to show them that it was the one, who like Himself, humbled himself, and became obedient, even unto death, who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Philippians 2:5-11 & Hebrews 11)
'Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made Himself of no reputation,
.. and took upon Him the form of a servant,
.... and was made in the likeness of men:
...... and being found in fashion as a man,
........ He humbled himself,
.......... and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him,
.. and given Him a name which is above every name:
.... That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
...... of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
........ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
.......... to the glory of God the Father.'
* The glory of God the Father was His object.
Praise His Holy Name!
* Mark's gospel, and that of Luke records this exchange between the Lord and His disciples slightly differently:-
'And He sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them,
If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
And He took a child, and set him in the midst of them:
and when He had taken Him in His arms, He said unto them,
Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me:
and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me.
(Mar 9:35-37) - see also:- (Luke 9:47-48)
* How good it is to compare Scripture with Scripture. How rewarding it can be, can't it?
* How good to read in Mark 9, how the Lord took that little child in His arms and held him close.
Praise God!
Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
