The Humble Road

Matthew 18: At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

The question that begins this chapter has been building momentum. These disciples had been sent out by Jesus to preach and do wonders, and seen God's mighty hand at work through them. Three of them had been with Him to see the transfiguration. It was obvious that the current religious leaders were not going to be in Jesus' administration. So, how could one get to the top?  Wrong question. Jesus' way was the way of humility. They were to be like children and to care about them.  As the chapter proceeds, they were to beware thinking they would ever be above sinning, and were to be forgiving towards those who sinned against them.  Christ Himself had descended to earth and would descend beneath the earth to accomplish God's will; they were to follow the same road down to humility, not stardom. This principle still applies to us.