Matthew 18:1

Matthew 18:1 says, At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  The disciples came to Jesus asking who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  The disciples were beginning to let ego come into the the picture, since at this time, they were still looking for Jesus to set up an earthly kingdom I believe.  At least they came to Jesus for the answer.  Verse two declares, And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,  Jesus called for a little child and set the child in the midst of the disciples.  It mat have seemed to the disciples that Jesus was ignoring their question.  When we ask God a question, we must allow Him to answer in His own way.  Verse three adds,  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus told the disciples, and tells us today, that we must be  converted and come to Him as little children to enter the kingdom of heaven.  It is not about working to be the greatest, but about coming to Jesus by faith alone.  Verse four continues, Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus said that anyone who came to Him in child like faith, totally dependent on Him for salvation, would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Verse five declares, And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.  Jesus does not differentiate between little children, but tells us that if we receive even one of them that we receive them.  Verse six adds, But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  Jesus told the disciples that a person would be better off if he or she drowned them self than they would if they offended, or harmed, a little child.  Verse seven adds, Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!  Jesus acknowledged that offences were going to come, but He also said that woe be to him by which they came.  Verse eight continues, Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.  Jesus said that we are to take sin seriously, and that if our hand or foot offends us, or leads us into sin, that we should cut it off, and that we are better off entering the kingdom of God halt and maimed than entering hell with all our body parts intact.  Verse nine states further, And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.  This is just a continuation of what Jesus said about the hand or foot.  Verse ten declares, Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.  There was a further warning about not despising the little ones.  I believe that Jesus was talking about any little child anywhere in the world and not just those who are closest to us.