Whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
You would have to imagine the excitement the disciples felt before Jesus shared that with them. They had just seen the 5000 fed. Then the 4000. Jesus healed the crowds and cast out demons. Some of the disciples even saw the transfiguration of Jesus.
Of course, they are going to be wondering which of them was the greatest. But Jesus. In His calm demeanor explained to them the real order in the Kingdom. He grabbed a child and told them:
"Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 18:3)
I get it now.
Every time I look at my children I'm reminded of these words from Jesus. But I realize that somewhere between my youth and adulthood things got in the way.
Fear. Anxiety. Doubt. Unworthiness. More fear.
In the aspect of faith, I look up to my children. I look up to my son's boldness as he proclaims the victory of Jesus over the enemy at the age of FIVE! I look up to my daughter as she worships God out loud with a 103.7 fever.
I am striving for child-like faith.
Are you?