At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

The disciples are still thinking in terms of human ambition and pride, of accomplishing great things for Christ and being recognized for it in heaven.  No doubt they were expecting Christ to mention the mighty prophets of old as being the greatest.  Jesus tells them that unless they change they won't even enter the kingdom of heaven - a stern warning against presumption.  The greatest and most perfect teacher, Christ shows them a child instead of using complicated language.  A child is without ambition, pride and self-importance.  In such a transparent, humble soul without deceit or guile we are able to see Christ himself.  Are we, then, to grasp for those characteristics which do not make us like Christ?

Humility is to serve and not be served.  It is to seek the lower place.  It does not seek attention, does not grasp for glory, does not desire titles, stature, recognition.  It flees worldly recognition and puffed-up self-importance as though they were a great disease.  It seeks the advancement of the other over oneself.  It is content with being overlooked and passed by, it does not aggressively assert itself or defend its reputation. It always places the other before itself.  We are in need of change if we want to enter Christ's kingdom.  Christ tells us this, it is a sure thing.  The change we must affect in ourselves is humility.  Fortunately we are surrounded everywhere with little reminders.  "Welcome them," says Christ.  "In doing so you welcome me.  In welcoming me you are seeing what I expect you to be."