Who Is The Greatest?

Matthew 18 begins with a famous discussion about reconciliation and dealing with sin in the church. However, before Jesus explains how believers should handle conflict, He first addresses a deeper issue: the kind of people who belong to His kingdom. The key to understanding the whole chapter is found in Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ question: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

1. The Greatest Difference

The disciples were concerned with greatness, status, and importance. Jesus completely overturns their thinking. He says that before anyone can enter the kingdom of heaven, they must change their understanding of greatness and become like a little child.

The child represents those who have no status, no claims, and no achievements to present before God. The greatest person in God’s kingdom is the humble believer who depends entirely on God’s grace.

Jesus repeatedly refers to believers as “little ones.” They are not great in the world’s eyes, but they are precious to God. They know that apart from Christ they have nothing, and that Christ is their life.

Whether facing opposition, suffering, injustice, or holding positions of authority, believers are called to imitate Christ’s humility. Leaders especially must not use their position for personal advantage but serve others as Christ served His disciples.

The foundation of this humility is that believers are children of the heavenly Father. Their identity comes not from status or achievement, but from belonging to Him.

2. How to Relate to Little Ones?

Jesus gives practical instructions for how believers should treat one another.

First, welcome them. Whoever welcomes a believer welcomes Christ Himself. Christians should examine whom they include and whom they unintentionally leave outside their circle of fellowship.

Second, do not cause them to sin. Believers should never lead others into spiritual harm through their actions, influence, or example.

Third, do not despise them. The Father deeply loves His children and watches over them. Therefore believers are called to care for one another, especially those who are drifting away or struggling in their faith.

Jesus is also speaking to future church leaders. Leaders must remember that leadership is a role of service, not a higher status. Their true status remains that of a humble “little one” before God.

3. What About the Sinner?

Jesus then turns to the issue of sin between believers. Ideally, when humble believers experience conflict, they will seek forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration quickly.

However, relationships can become complicated. Sometimes others are needed to help bring reconciliation and restore broken fellowship. The goal is not punishment but restoration.

The preacher notes that many churches struggle to practice Matthew 18 because fellowship relationships are often too shallow. Reconciliation requires a community where believers genuinely know, care for, and support one another as children of the same Father.

4. So?

Jesus’ answer to the original question remains unchanged: the greatest in the kingdom are those who are like little children—those who live in Christ, trust Christ, and follow Christ.

The sermon closes with the story of Augustine of Hippo, whose life was transformed when he read Romans 13 and heard God’s call to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Augustine’s conversion illustrates what it means to become one of Christ’s “little ones.”

The true people of God’s kingdom are those who put on the Lord Jesus Christ, trust Him completely, and become more like Him. They belong to the kingdom because they are becoming like the King.

Final Challenge

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Live under Christ. Trust Christ. Follow Christ. Serve like Christ. Care for His people. Reject the world’s obsession with status and greatness.

The greatest people in God’s kingdom are not those who exalt themselves, but those who humbly live as children of the Father and reflect the character of Jesus.