1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 18:1-4
The problem with understanding this passage is that the dispensational churches have taught that the Kingdom is delayed. This causes confusion with all the teachings of John the Baptist and Messiah. Because, John the Baptist and Messiah Himself taught that the Kingdom was at hand.
This is not the only time this kind question was asked
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Matt 20:20-21
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”Mark 10:35-38
The disciples did not understand the nature of the kingdom. They like most of the post-modern church were thinking of earthly kingdoms with one ruler and lots of satraps, senators, ministers etc. The idea that we would not need someone in charge is foreign to most peoples thinking. We don’t see that the Kingdom is not temporal. But we all covet the possibility of power, wealth, pomp, and ceremony. We want to be like any other kingdom of this world. We all look at the crown and not the cross. They wanted to be prime ministers, presidents, kings etc.
6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to govern us.” And Samuel prayed to the LORD. 7 And the LORD said to Samuel, “Hearken to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 1Sam. 8:6-7
However Messiah told us to become as children. Those who are not in charge of anything. In order to enter the Kingdom we must put aside our pride, ambition and love of honor and dominion. A small child doesn’t deserve to be in charge. They stamp their little feet and say, “NO” and we laugh at them, and step over them pick them up and put them out of the way. They are not in charge.
They do not know where the food shelter and clothes come from. Children care for nothing. They just assume they will be provided with shelter, and food and clothed. Children know no prejudice until they are taught it. They will play with whatever children are available, regardless of wealth, color, or religion. Their only job is to learn.
Without becoming like a child we cannot enter the Kingdom. He did not tell us to ask Him into our hearts, He did not prescribe that we say the sinners prayer, only that we must become like a child.
No King but Jesus
The Song of Songs 