ESOCS Devotional 28 December 2024 – Greatest in the Kingdom
MEMORY VERSE: “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18: 4 KJV)
TEXT: MATTHEW 18:1–10
t 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.
6 “But 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.
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.
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As the scriptures plainly say, God’s ways are not ours. The things we value and prioritize are not the things God values or prioritizes. If you go to a typical Church today and ask the believers who is the greatest in that congregation, the typical Christian will think about the one who is often on the pulpit, manifests the gifts of the Spirit, etc. And if peradventure it is a spiritual Church, we will immediately point to the one who speaks in power tongues, casts out demons, prophesies, or readily manifests God’s power.
Though these things are important and have their place, God sees greatness differently. To God, the one who is humble like a child and serves others is the greatest in the kingdom (Matthew 18:3-4). I am certainly as surprised as you probably are. This is partly why “the first shall be last, and the last shall be first”, because what people hail and put as number one is often not what God puts on top of His list.
What is your greatness status in the Kingdom of God? Are you humble and serving people with the gifts and abilities God has given you? Remember this: in human kingdoms, servants are the least esteemed, but in God’s kingdom, servants are the greatest.
Who wants to be great in God’s kingdom? Do not seek people to serve you, but seek to serve others. The path to greatness in the kingdom is open to all—humility and service. Resolve to be great in God’s eyes.
- If someone asked you the question, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven,” what would be your answer?
- Holy Spirit, help me seek greatness with you, not men. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Jeremiah 31:1–17; 3:15–17; Mark 10:15–16
ESOCS Devotional 28 December 2024
