“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:1-4, NIV)
To live in the kingdom of heaven (also called the kingdom of God) is to live under the authority of God. That is, to obey God, and to have faith in God’s goodness.
As a vestige of our corrupted nature, all of us have a problem with authority. If we do not, it is because somewhere, sometime, we made a change against our nature.
Today’s scripture reminds us that entrance into the place where God rules requires that we first “change and become like little children.” A true child is humble, obedient, trusting, inquisitive, and in the moment. In the kingdom of heaven, the last are first; and the least are the greatest.
The kingdom of heaven is the Christian disciple’s true home. – Luther
Daily Encouragement 