“Who is considered the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
One of my favorite things I loved to hear when I was outside playing as a child was the sound of the ice cream truck. I'm sure you can hear the music in your head right now. We didn't get to buy ice cream that often, but the hope and excitement that crept into my little body was sheer and utter joy.
Summers were so great as a child. The freedom to go outside and play all day with neighborhood friends and my brother was also absolute happiness. Probably the best memories were playing Kick the Can when it was dust and the sun was settling in the sky.
The innocent creative mind of a child and the ability to play make-believe and come up with imaginative objects to complete your fairytale was the best. So much joy could be created with so little, just an imagination and an idea. Life was so simple; no planning, no prepping, and no cares in the world.
When you are a child, you think like a child. You act like a child and you forgive like a child. You are also willingly open to guidance from authority, like your Mom and Dad. You are comforted easily by a loved one, sometimes by a simple hug. The innocence of a child and the capacity to love is abundant.
Understandably when Jesus was asked by His disciples, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”, that His answer was clear cut. A child is the greatest in heaven. His response was recorded by Matthew and is in the Bible.
“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives me.”
Matthew 18: 3- 5
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