Called and Set

 

Good day, I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word.

Mt 18:1 At 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.

 

 “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Who is the greatest Christian you know? Is it your pastor? Someone in your Bible Study? Maybe someone from the past like Luther or Calvin? Is it Spurgeon or Billy Graham? Who is it?

 

And Jesus called and set a child before them. So this child was old enough to respond to His call and small enough to be lifted by Jesus  and set in the midst of this adult conversation.

 

I think “called” and “set” are two very important words. Jesus calls us through the preaching of the gospel, and when we respond HE sets us where we need to be, in His church (the kingdom) doing whatever it is that HE has gifted us to do!

 

His initial response to the question, was not who is the greatest, but rather who gets in! He says, unless you are converted, (turned around) and become as this trusting and obedient child, you’re not going to get in.

 

As far as who is the greatest? Jesus said it is the one who humbles himself like that little child. Ask yourself this question. :How does a child express humility? The answer is by yielded to His superiors. Do you want to be great in the kingdom of God? Then yield to the superiority, the Lordship of Jesus Christ in your life and you will share space with those regarded as the greatest!

 

Beloved! Respond to the call of Jesus, and through humble yielding, let Him Place you where He needs you to be.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word