"Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

"Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Are you surprised to see the disciples discussing with Jesus who is the greatest? Don't we do the same thing? The appetite for glory and greatness seems to be inbred in us. Who doesn't cherish the ambition to be "somebody" whom others admire rather than a "nobody"? Even the psalms speak about the glory God has destined for us. You have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5). Jesus made a dramatic gesture by placing a child next to himself to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of God. What can a little child possibly teach us about greatness? Children in the ancient world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially at the "bottom of the rung" and at the service of their parents, much like the household staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of honor at his right side. It is customary, even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right side of the host. Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of heart – who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant or child.

What does Jesus' story about a lost sheep tell us about God and his kingdom? Shepherds normally counted their sheep at the end of the day to make sure all were accounted for. Since sheep by their very nature are very social, an isolated sheep can quickly become bewildered and even neurotic. The shepherd's grief and anxiety is turned to joy when he finds the lost sheep and restores it to the fold. What was new in Jesus' teaching was the insistence that sinners must be sought out and not merely mourned for. God does not rejoice in the loss of anyone, but desires that all be saved and restored to fellowship with him. That is why the whole community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is found and restored to fellowship with God (Luke 15:7). Seekers of the lost are much needed today. 

Do you pray and seek after those you know who have lost their way to God?

"Lord Jesus, teach me your way of humility and simplicity of heart that I may find perfect joy in you. May your lights shine through me that others may see your truth and love and find hope and peace in you."

it is not difficult to why affirmation and affirming relationships have this power to affect people for the better. for affirmation answers the most fundamental human needs and aspirations: recognition, sense of importance and worth, self-esteem, intimacy, solidarity, fellowship, identity, acceptance, authenticity, and need to celebrate life and existence. YOU ARE BASICALLY GOOD...When GOD creates man, HE saw that it was so GOOD. What man needs for his latent goodness to blossom is to be freed from those forces within and without him that tend to cripple his sense of GOODNESS. AFFIRMATION AFFORDS HIM THAT FREEDOM....

REMOVE THE CROWD; BUILD A COMMUNITY