Matthew the apostle wrote when Jesus and His disciples, “were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Does not your master pay tribute? Peter said unto him, Of strangers. Jesus said unto him, Then are the children free.Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go you to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first comes up; and when you have opened his mouth, you shall find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and you”, and in chapter eighteen and verse one of his book, Matthew shares how “the disciples” came “unto Jesus, saying, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” where we read:
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
The verse reads, “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “at the same time” or “at a certain and definite moment” “came” which means “approached and came forth”“the disciples” or “the students, pupils and attendants” “unto Jesus” which means “to Jesus who is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”. Matthew shared how Jesus' disciples came to Him asking the following question.
The verse goes on to say “... Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”. Matthew continued with the words, “who is the greatest” or “what person is the largest, eldest and strongest” “in the kingdom” which means “in the royal power, kingship, dominion and rule” “of heaven” which refers to “the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”. Matthew shared the disciples question concerning what person was the “largest, eldest and strongest” in heaven's “kingdom”
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the disciples were curious as to “who” was the “greatest” person in heaven's kingdom. There was a natural inclination to be “greater” than any other person, and the disciples believed this to be true in heaven's kingdom as well. God desires a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they “humble” themselves before Him it is the beginning of a relationship that exalts Him as the “greatest” and last “forever and ever more”
Next time we see Jesus call, “a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
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“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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