Have you ever wondered who is the greatest in the Kingdom of God? Our natural tendency causes us to think it is those who have shown themselves to be great pillars of the faith. Perhaps those whose names have rung from the halls of Christianity. It could be those popular or well-known that many have heard of today or those history has recorded as being significant.
Maybe it is the patriarch fathers of biblical history who are the greatest. Those who accomplished incredible feats of faith endured trials and tests well beyond most that men praise and say, “Look at them.” Perhaps it is great kings that were righteous, mighty, or wise. Many love to hear and read the words they have written. It could be those down through the last several centuries who reformed the churches and established vast denominations in their name.
While some men and women were great and esteemed by God as righteous, full of integrity, and faithful to the Lord, they are not necessarily the greatest in the Kingdom of God. Just being well-known or famous does not define greatness in God’s vocabulary. If we are to know who is the greatest in His Kingdom, we must listen to what the ruler of the Kingdom has to say on this matter. You might be surprised to find out who is actually considered the greatest in the Kingdom of God according to Jesus.
And Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women, there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Matthew 11:11
Wow, no one greater at that time than John the Baptist. That includes Abraham, Moses, Job, Samuel, David, Daniel, and other great men of the faith. Yet the least in His Kingdom is greater than them. It seems backward to our usual way of thinking. If the least is the greatest, who is the least?
Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4
“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Mark 10:14-15
We are seeing those who become like little children as the greatest. Understand He does not mean childishness or immaturity. He means humble, trusting, believing God’s every word, and willing to do as He commands with obedience with child-like faith, ready to do whatever is necessary to obey God’s Word and His command. The greatest in His Kingdom follow and obey God with unwavering faith because they know He is trustworthy and in control of everything. They believe in God, who is preparing an excellent reward for those willing to lower themselves to the bottom. They obey God completely.
What makes a child a perfect illustration of what God is seeking? A little child is moldable, unpretentious, and trusting of those who teach and lead them. A good child does not rebel or question the word of their father. Jesus commands all of us to turn from our sinful ways to follow and obey His ways as an obedient child would stop at the command of his/her father and obey.
Even more than that, Jesus tells His disciples they must be like Him to be the greatest. They must serve others with a humble and willing heart. Like the Son of Man, the King of kings came to serve and not to be served. Did you hear that? Jesus, who is God and overall, decided to be a servant to all. That is humility and exactly what God is looking for to be the greatest in God’s eyes.
But Jesus called them to Him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28
I hope you learn from this lesson that it is okay to seek to be the greatest in the Kingdom of God; Jesus encouraged it. We know it is not how the world portrays a person as great. Those who are lowly of heart, loving, meek, kind, and compassionate servants of the Lord strive to listen, obey, and serve. So, the lowest is the greatest in His Kingdom.
The one who does not desire to stand on stage or in the limelight of popularity doesn’t need their name to be remembered, but raises the name of Jesus Christ is great in God’s eyes. The greatest is the one who shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ and serves others to save many from Hell. They have extended a helping hand to those in need, even if it costs them everything. Even if they consider themselves an enemy, they will love, help, and pray for them. So go and be the least that you may be the greatest.
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48
The Soul Sower 