like a child

Matthew 18:1-5

The key words in this passage are: kingdom of heaven and child. The disciples bring up an old topic of conversation: who is the greatest in the kingdom? Jesus responds with a living illustration. He calls a young child and sets him down among the disciples. He tells them that unless they become like this child, they won't even get into the kingdom. The greatest in the kingdom of heaven is the one who humbles himself like a child.
Anticipating the objection that becoming like a child will open them up to all kinds of abuse and persecution, Jesus assures them that whoever welcomes one of his child-like followers is welcoming Jesus and implies that whoever rejects one of his child-like followers is rejecting Jesus and will face all the consequences that go along with that rejection. Jesus will expand on this in the next section.
Obviously Jesus is not advocating childishness or immaturity but child-likeness. In this passage, Jesus is specifically referring to humility. Humility is something that I definitely struggle with. I am constantly thinking of myself and comparing myself with others which is the opposite of humility. Humility is recognizing that my only hope for entering the kingdom is Jesus.