Who them is the GREATEST in the Kingdom of Heaven - Matthew 18:1-14

Introduction: There is a king in the Bible who thought he was the greatest. King Nebuchadnezzar boasted,

   “Is not this the great Babylon I have built... by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30).

   The Beatles once claimed to be “more popular than Jesus.” They thought they were great.

   As a young kid, I can remember boxing legend Muhammad Ali declaring, “I am the greatest!” He said, “It’s hard to be humble when you are as great as I am.”

   And when you think of basketball greatness, most people immediately think of Michael Jordan. Six-time NBA champion. Five-time MVP. A global icon. He is often considered the greatest basketball player of all time.

   In 2009, Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The world tuned in, expecting a moment of celebration, humility, and gratitude. After all, this was the pinnacle of honor in the sport—a time to reflect on legacy, acknowledge teammates, and give thanks.

   But Jordan took a different route.

   Instead of a gracious speech, he used the platform to settle scores. He invited a former high school teammate who had once been picked ahead of him for the varsity team—just to remind him of the mistake. He brought up former rivals and coaches—not to thank them, but to point out how they had doubted him or motivated him by disrespect. The speech wasn't about appreciation. It was about vindication. He wanted the world to know: "I’m the greatest because I proved you all wrong."

   People seem to have a bent towards wanting to be the greatest. As we approach Matthew 18, we encounter a moment where the disciples—still influenced by worldly ambition—ask Jesus a question rooted in status and comparison: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

   Jesus is going to take their question, and He is going to flip the idea of greatness on its head. There are three words that I see in this passage that provide us with an idea of what greatness is all about in the mind of Jesus Christ.

   Are you ready to receive them today? Here they are:

1. Humility – 18:1-5

   1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

   What answer did the disciples expect to hear? A worldly answer? Were they expecting Jesus to talk about power, position, prestige. Jesus totally redirects their thinking. I think the disciples may have hoped that Jesus might have named one of them as the greatest or perhaps may have even ranked them in an order of their greatness. But He doesn’t!

   Their question reveals a human tendency:Most people crave status and recognition. Don’t be too hard on Jesus’ disciples. Mankind the world over struggles with the idea of greatness – especially in our culture today. We hear things like: I want to become the greatest social influencer. I want to become the greatest actor in Hollywood. I want to be the greatest athlete in the world of sports.

   How does Jesus respond to the disciple’s question? Look at verse 2,

   Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,

  There are a lot of Bible teachers who believe that this child may have been Peter’s son. That Jesus and His disciples were probably gathered at Peter’s house.

   Next Jesus says to His disciples in verse 3,

   “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as a little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

   It seems to me that Jesus speaks about getting into heaven before He answers the question about who will be the greatest in heaven.

How to Get into Heaven

   Jesus speaks about being “converted”. This word means “to turn” or “to turn around.” The word implies a deliberate change of direction or perspective—repentance, humility. Salvation begins here. No one is great without first coming to faith in Jesus Christ. This is where we all are to start!

   As I read these verses, I believe Jesus was making it very clear that it’s not about greatness from a human perspective, but about trusting from a spiritual perspective.

   Next, Jesus says that we are to “become as little children”. The Greek words used here refers to young children, perhaps toddlers. Well, what do we know about little children? Here are some characteristics about little children:

· They are needy. They cannot survive without help.

· They want to be held. They long for comfort and security.

· They want to be fed.

· They want to be loved and provided for.

· They are trusting – they display faith.

   Warren Wiersbe writes, “Childlikeness is not childishness. The child is teachable, humble, and dependent. The disciple must become like that.”  

   So, what about the disciple’s question? Look at verse 4, as Jesus now answers their original question. He says,

   “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

   The word “Therefore” means in the light of what Jesus just finished sharing. Jesus taught that greatness in God’s kingdom is not about power or prominence—but about displaying the faith of a little child.

   Next, Jesus says,

   “whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” 

   The word “humbles” means “to bring low, to make oneself low in rank or importance.” This is where greatness begins! It starts when we begin to put others ahead of ourselves.

   It has been said that humility is an intentional act—it’s not forced humiliation but chosen lowliness. It is a choice!

   As I contemplated these words of Jesus, I could help but to think that Jesus might have been saying, “Just imitate Me. Walk as I walk.” After all, Jesus did humble Himself as a little child (Philippians 2:5-8).

  It has been said that humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. Isn’t that what Jesus also did? He didn’t come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).

   This is the MARK of true greatness!

   Look at verse 5 says,

   “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”

   Jesus connects the way we treat little children (the humble, other believers) to how we treat Him.

   The word “receives” in the Greek means “to accept, welcome, or take into one’s presence.” In a culture were children were often neglected and pushed aside Jesus speaks of welcoming them.

   Welcoming the insignificant is welcoming Jesus.

2. Blameless – 18:6-9

6“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! 8“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.

   In these verses we discover that real greatness in God’s kingdom is protecting the “little ones” – all those who humbled themselves and received Jesus Christ as their Savior. These “little ones” need protection from those who would like to:

· Cause them to sin – 18:6

   The Greek word (σκανδαλίσῃ – skandalizē) – to trip up, to cause to stumble. It’s where we get the word “scandal.”

   The scandal here is to be the reason why people would reject the person of Jesus Christ as their Savior. Don’t you ever be responsible for anyone rejecting the person of Jesus Christ. Not by word, nor by your behavior.

   Jesus says that it would be better for this person to have a millstone hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. The millstone here is the large one that was turned by using a donkey. This is a very vivid picture! Can you picture this in your mind?

· Be an offense to them – 18:7

   The word “offense” is (σκάνδαλα – skandala), and it means stumbling blocks or traps that lead others into sin. The world is guilty of this all the time. But woe is the individual who might be the one to bring about an offense. Don’t be that person.

   I wonder how many fathers have become stumbling blocks to their children. I wonder how many neighbors have become stumbling blocks for another neighbor. And I wonder how many friends will be left out of heaven because another friend became a stumbling block and kept someone away from receiving Jesus Christ.

   I would beg of you to NOT be the cause of anyone refusing to receive salvation because of your PRIDE – you unwillingness to humble yourself before Almighty God and admit that you are a sinner in need of a savior.

Deal with your Sin Immediately

   When a person comes face-to-face with the reality of their sin they should deal with it immediately. One guy said, “Deal ruthlessly with your sin.” Sin is not to be trifled with. It is not a toy – it is a poison that kills. Again, look at how Jesus said we are to deal with sin. We read,

   8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.

   Your sin may be responsible for keeping another person out of heaven. Do you really want that on you? It has been said, “Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you.”

   Finally, don’t miss the two destinies mentioned in these verses. Jesus says that the person who deals with their sin will enter life (18:8), but the person who refuses to deal with their sin will be cast into everlasting fire, or into hell fire (18:9). These are not my words; they are the words of Jesus Himself. Jesus made it very clear that there are two destinies and only two.

   Greatness is found in humility, being blameless, and protecting little ones, but failing to embrace humility, being blameless, and protecting little ones can lead to serious spiritual consequences – everlasting fire, or eternal hell.

   Here is what Paul penned to the Philippian believers,

   That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:15).

3. Care – 18:10-14

10“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. 12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

   In those verses Jesus speaks of the value of every “little one”. Jesus tells His disciples to “take heed” which means, pay attention for what I am about to say is important. Each one of us would do well to “take heed” right now – hear these words. Don’t miss what Jesus is teaching.

   First, Jesus says not to “despise one of these little ones.” The word “despise” means to think down upon, to look at someone as insignificant or beneath you. To do that is nothing more than pride.

   It has been said that at the foot of the cross the ground is level. We all stand in need before Jesus Christ. No one is better than another – no one.

   Second, Jesus says that their angels always see the face of My Father (18:10). In other words, angels share inside information with the Father about every little one.

Insight about the Angels

   Some Bible teachers believe that this is where the idea comes from for guardian angels. That every little child has an angel that watches over them. It’s possible! We read in Hebrews 1:14,  

   Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

   The Jews believed that every nation had a guardian angel. They get this idea from reading Daniel 10:13,20; 12:1. And there are Bible scholars who believe that every church has an angel assigned to it – these angels seek to protect it. They get this from reading about the seven churches in Revelation 2-3.

   Hear what I am about to say– If you despise a little child, their angel makes God the Father instantly aware of it. You mess with God’s creation you mess with God, and I guarantee that you will lose every time.

   R.C. Sproul penned, “The angels have constant access to the Father—your treatment of the lowly is reported instantly in heaven.”

   Thirdly, Jesus made it very clear that He had come to seek and to save that which was lost (18:11). Jesus is SALVATION for every lost little one. No one can come to the Father except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). There is only one name given among men under heaven whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

   D.L. Moody said, “The worth of one soul in the eyes of God is immeasurable. That’s why Jesus came.”

   In verses 12-14 we are given a window into God’s great compassion for just one individual. He speaks of a shepherd who had 100 sheep, and one goes astray. The shepherd will leave the 99 and go out and search for the one. Why? Because even one is important to the great shepherd. Every soul has value to God.

   When the text says that the shepherd will “go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying” it means that He will do whatever it takes to find a straying sheep. This is the heart of the shepherd!

  Hear me – if you are straying and you don’t sense the shepherd coming after you to find you, you better question if you belong to the sheepfold. Is the LORD your shepherd?

   Next, we read in verse 13,

   “And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.”

   Jesus will do all He can to find sheep that go astray, but sometimes they don’t want to be found. Some people just don’t care to follow a shepherd. That’s sad but true.

   Finally, every one of us who name the name of Jesus should understand the words we have in verse 14,

   Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

   It is NEVER the will of God that “little ones” should perish. No, it is the will of God that all men be saved – all means all! (see 1 Timothy 2:4). The word “perish” means to be lost, ruined, destroyed. Not merely physical death, but spiritual ruin.

Conclusion: So—who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? According to Jesus, it’s not the one with status, success, or spiritual swagger. It’s the one who humbles themselves like a child… who refuses to make others stumble… and who deeply values and protects the "little ones"—the vulnerable, the lowly, the overlooked.

   That means greatness in God’s kingdom is available to anyone—but it comes at a cost. It requires us to lay down pride and pick up humility. It means refusing to compare ourselves with others, and instead, becoming childlike in our faith, dependent on Christ, and obedient to His voice. It calls us to guard our lives from sin—not just for our own sake, but because our example can either lead others to Christ or push them away.

   And let’s not forget this: greatness in the kingdom is marked by care. The Good Shepherd searches for the one. He rejoices when even one lost soul is found. And if our Lord has that kind of compassion, shouldn’t we?

   So, here’s the challenge:

· Will we humble ourselves—today—not just once, but continually?

· Will we take our sin seriously, not minimizing it, but cutting it off before it poisons others?

· And will we value every soul, especially the small, the weak, the straying—just like Jesus does?

   And here’s the encouragement:

   When you and I walk in this kind of humility and love, we are walking in the footsteps of Christ Himself. That’s not just greatness—that’s godliness. That’s kingdom living.

  Let’s stop trying to be great in the world’s eyes. Let’s start living to be great in God's.