Speaker: Bro. Bobby Rodriguez, Elder, The Lord's Flock Catholic Charismatic Community

" Who is the Greatest?"

The Greatest in the Kingdom

“AT THAT TIME the disciples approached Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, ‘Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ” (Matthew 18:1-4).

In the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the children are considered as models for the disciples not because of their innocence but because of their complete dependence and trust in their parents. Similarly, the disciples must have complete dependence and trust in God.

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? It is he who knows how to be humble like a child.

And how do we become humble like a child? We have to learn and possess childlike faith!

Learning Childlike Faith

ONLY WHEN WE BECOME like children can we enter the kingdom of heaven . (Matthew 18:3). Only when we accept the kingdom of God like a child will we enter it. (Mark 10:15, Luke 18:17).

Let us “become like children” by learning and possessing childlike faith. We can in fact learn so much from little children and from what they are and what they do.

1. Little children believe easily in God. - C hildren are naturally curious about many things, including God. They often raise questions to their parents and they believe easily their answers without having any doubts.

Adults are sometimes like the doubting Thomas , one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, who did not want to believe in the risen Lord unless he sees the mark of the nails in his hands and put his finger into the nailmarks and put his hand into his side. (John 20:24-29).

“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed .” (John 20:29).

Children do not doubt; they easily believe and trust their parents. Can we easily believe and trust God like children?

2. Little children are needy. - Children need their father and their mother for almost everything. They depend entirely on their parents for food, shelter, and clothing. They receive with joy what their parents give them.

As adults, we should depend on God, our spiritual Father, for everything. We can ask God what we need. “ If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it .” (John 14:14). We should remain in the Lord “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

3. Little children do not keep many possessions. - While children actually need basic necessities in life, they do not keep many possessions. They are content with what are given to them. They are not concerned with material possessions. They are unselfish. They are not greedy.

Adults are often pre-occupied with the acquisition of material possessions. Those with money wants more money. Even those with power wants more power. Unlike children, adults are usually covetous – never content with what they already have in life. They often seek satisfaction and fulfillment by acquiring more possessions but end up with stronger appetite to accumulate even more possessions.

We should all be like children who are happy with whatever their parents provide.

4. Little children love easily. - Children naturally love their parents especially their mothers who give them love since birth . They love easily those who give them care and affection. They love those who play with them and especially those who teach them.

As adults, we should “love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God .” (1 John 4:7). Some of us withhold our love out of fear of rejection or of looking foolish. It should not be the case; we should not hesitate to express our love for others, like little children. Let us remember we are all children of God. (Rom. 8:14).

5. Little children laugh easily. - Children smile and laugh spontaneously. Especially when they play, they giggle, laugh, and shout with joy. Without any evil in their young hearts, their innocent smiles and laughter always bring joy to their parents.

Adults should remain childlike in their “laugh-life.” “ Our mouths were filled with laughter .” (Psalms 126:2). “ A cheerful heart is good medicine .” (Proverbs 17:22). “ Gladness of heart is the very life of man, cheerfulness prolongs his days .” (Sirach 20:32).

We should always smile and avoid frowning. Smiles exercise our facial muscles. They make us look younger than our actual age. They show that we are happy; our heart is benefited; and our life is lengthened. Let us smile, laugh, and be happy like children.

6. Little children cry easily. - A baby cries as soon as he is born. He cries everytime he is hungry or thirsty. He also cries if he is hurt. As he grows up to early childhood, he cries less but he still does so easily when he needs something from his parents.

Crying is shedding tears as an expression of grief, sorrow, pain, or distress. Tears serve to release stress and pain – physical or emotional. Some shed tears of joy when overcome with great happiness and thanksgiving to God.

Adults, especially men, seldom cry. We should actually not hesitate to cry. Crying out can be an intense prayer that may be offered when a situation causes feelings of desperation or deep burden. Our God is always present to soothe our pain and to console us.

There is nothing to be ashamed in crying like little children asking their parents for something. We can cry out to our spiritual Father for anything we need. Biblical examples of crying out are found in Exodus 2:23-24; 1 Chron. 5:20; 2 Chron. 32:20-21; and Jonah 2:2.

7. Little children fall down and get up. - Children naturally love to play, to jump, to run. They are not afraid to tumble, or to fall down, or even to make mistakes. And when they fall down, they easily get up and resume play. They know someone is close to them to help them if needed.

Adults are often afraid of failure in their undertakings. Such fear of failure can result in inaction. They should go ahead with their plans, after submitting them to the Holy Spirit.

Even if we fall down, or fail in our activities, we should not be ashamed. We should readily get up and strive to do them right in the next attempt. Like children, we must rise up and keep on going without any fear of repeated failures. “ And perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing .” (James 1:4)

8. Little children like rest. - No matter how hyperactive and energetic most children are, they also need some rest after playing or running all over the place.

Grown-ups should take the necessary rest. Rest is essential to good health. Exhaustion can adversely affect productivity and relationship. Fatigue can lower resistance to temptation and hinder fellowship with the Lord. “… He rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken .” (Genesis 2:2)

9. Little children do not harbor anger. - Children may get angry when others tease them, hurt them, or call them names. Such anger does not last long among children. They do not keep grudges. They are quick to forgive.

Adults can learn from children's attitude of quick pardon and reconciliation. Like children, they should be quick in forgiving one another. (Ephesians 4:32). “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger.” (Ephesians 4:26). “Envy and anger shortens one's life.” (Sir. 30:24).

10. Little children listen attentively. - Children, when called by their parents, come and listen attentively. They give full concentration to the person talking.

Adults sometimes do not pay attention to the person talking. They have many other things in their mind. They talk with someone else or do texting with their cell phones.

“Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” (James 1:19). “So now, O children, listen to me; instruction and wisdom do not reject!” (Proverbs 8:32).

We, as disciples and followers of Jesus, should listen faithfully to God, like little children. We should always be ready to obey his word. “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28).