“WHO IS THE GREATEST?”

Matthew 18:1-4 (ESV)

[1] At that time the disciples came to JESUS, saying, “WHO IS THE GREATEST” in the kingdom of heaven?” [2] And calling to HIM a child, HE put him in the midst of them [3] and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. [4] WHOEVER HUMBLES HIMSELF LIKE THIS CHILD IS THE GREATEST in the kingdom of heaven.”

The disciples were “chosen” by JESUS HIMSELF according to John 15:16, so why did they want to know “WHO IS THE GREATEST” when it came to serving? In spite of be selected by THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES, the selfish desires of their previous lives still had to be “daily” crucified (Galatians 2:20; 5:24).  

According to Matthew 17:24-27 JESUS paid the “tribute”, collected by those who collected the “tax”. The SON OF GOD humbled HIMSELF to pay a fee for people like me to worship HIM? Yet, HIS followers were debating amongst themselves “WHO IS THE GREATEST”, as if that was a crown worth wearing? It would be as if a group of pigs were quarreling about which one was the prettiest and had the most pleasant fragrance!  

Are we much better today? Do we try to get to the top of the rung in our “class” of people? 1 Timothy 1:15 says rather bluntly “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, OF WHOM I AM THE FOREMOST.” So if the Apostle Paul is the FOREMOST of sinners, where does that leave me?  

We all were chosen “in HIM before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4), so what have we done to count ourselves worthy of this tremendous GRACE? We are still on earth to Glorify GOD ALMIGHTY, not to build wealth and earthly possessions. The question of “WHO IS THE GREATEST” was answered long ago! JESUS CHRIST IS THAT ANSWER!!!