SATURDAY.
Who is Greatest in Heaven?
I. "At that hour the disciples came to Jesus saying, who thinkest Thou is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (Matt, xviii. i.) A little before this there had been a contention among them, "which of them should be the greatest" (Mark ix. 34), and now each of them wishes to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Thus ambition insinuates itself even into spiritual things and persons, and hence, they ask the question, who is to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Perhaps some may erroneously think that the rich and powerful in this world ought to obtain that honor. But Jesus Christ will undeceive them.
II. "Jesus calling unto Him a little child, set him in the midst of them, and said, Amen, I say to you, unless ye become as little children you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven; whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself, as this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matt, xviii. 3.) Consider what is to be inferred from becoming as a little child. "Brethren," writes St. Paul, "do not become children in sense, but in malice be children, and in sense be perfect." (1. Cor. xiv. 20.) A child prefers himself to no one, arrogates nothing to himself, is affectionate to all, loves his parents and suffers himself to be governed by them. Act therefore in this manner if you desire to enter into the kingdom of heaven. " Narrow is the gate, and strait is the way, which leadeth to life." (Matt. vii. 14.) Humble yourself, therefore, and become little in your own eyes, and you will be able to enter.
