There’s a saying that “greatness is earned, not given.” In almost every realm, that is absolutely true. If you want to be great, you must work for it. There are no shortcuts or easy routes to greatness. It is earned by the one who is willing to outwork the rest. This is a principle that has always existed, even in the time of Jesus. As Jesus declares the coming kingdom of God, many are trying to determine how to be great in the kingdom. Implied in this question is this: what do I need to do to be greater than everyone else? Jesus talks about how to be great in the kingdom of heaven three different times in the Gospel of Matthew:
- In Matt 5:17–19, Jesus speaks of his role as the Word of God (cf. John 1:1) in relation to the Law. Jesus does not devalue the Law but instead fulfills it. In discussing the importance of God’s Word in reference to the Old Testament Scriptures, Jesus notes that greatness in the kingdom is achieved by submitting to the commandments of God. As Jesus is speaking, it is those who are in complete submission to the unadulterated word of God through the Law, not the Pharisaic traditions, who will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
- In Matt 18:1, the disciples ask the same question that I referred to at the beginning of this article: “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” In response, Jesus, using a child to convey the image, notes that humility is what allows one to be great in the kingdom. While this is the opposite of how any other kingdom on earth functions, the kingdom of heaven requires humility to enter (v. 3) and humility to become “the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
- How would sincere humility allow for such an exaltation? In Matt 23:11–12, we get an answer to that question. Humility results in greatness because God recognizes the lowly servant and exalts the humble into high places (Matt 23:11–12).
Jesus teaches that greatness in his kingdom is not achieved by how much you can do but by your attitude toward God and his people. Submission and humility are required, not only to enter but to become great. Within the kingdom of heaven, greatness is given, not earned.
Nate Kidwell
Dalraida church of Christ is a congregation of Christians that meet in the mid-town area of Montgomery, Alabama. Our goal and purpose is to seek and follow God and His Word in everything that we do in life.