Knowing The Word in Luke 9:46-48

Who Is the Greatest?

9:46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

Comments

Within the band of disciples, pride reared its ugly head. Perhaps they could not understand the nature of Jesus’ death because they were more worried about their place in the pecking order. They fell into comparison, which is the killer of joy, especially the joy of being in the presence of Jesus. Jesus responded by taking a child, who stands for the helpless and unimportant, and taught them a lesson. The really great person who knows Jesus is the lowly one. In the kingdom of God, people do not compare themselves to one another. True greatness comes in lowly service, which Jesus will demonstrate on the cross.

Application

Where do you need to work on lowliness in your life? Where does comparison steal joy in your life?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I offer my pride to you at the foot of your cross. Compared to you, I am nothing, but you fully accept me as a child of God and your sibling. I need your Spirit to keep working in me, transforming my self-centered nature into your glorious one.