The Greatest
An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 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.”
Luke 9:46–48
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The Greatest
We are obsessed with rank. Who is the greatest band of all time? The greatest baseball, football, basketball team, etc. Most schools still vote for the most popular student. There is something in us that needs to know who the best is. Jesus’ disciples were the same way, only they wanted to know for selfish reasons which among them was the greatest. Jesus, knowing the disciples’ hearts, corrects a misunderstanding about the nature of His kingdom, clarifying that true greatness does not come from our standing in the eyes of the world, but comes from faith and service. We are just as mistaken when we think, as the disciples did, that our value comes from social position or material abundance. Instead, the grace flowing from Jesus’ sacrificial death establishes, creates, and exhibits our worth. By the power of God’s Spirit, our humble service produces things great in His eyes. May God continue to grant us humility so that, being strengthened by His Word and following the example of His service to others, we might please Him in all that we do and say.
Luke 9:46–48
+
The Greatest
We are obsessed with rank. Who is the greatest band of all time? The greatest baseball, football, basketball team, etc. Most schools still vote for the most popular student. There is something in us that needs to know who the best is. Jesus’ disciples were the same way, only they wanted to know for selfish reasons which among them was the greatest. Jesus, knowing the disciples’ hearts, corrects a misunderstanding about the nature of His kingdom, clarifying that true greatness does not come from our standing in the eyes of the world, but comes from faith and service. We are just as mistaken when we think, as the disciples did, that our value comes from social position or material abundance. Instead, the grace flowing from Jesus’ sacrificial death establishes, creates, and exhibits our worth. By the power of God’s Spirit, our humble service produces things great in His eyes. May God continue to grant us humility so that, being strengthened by His Word and following the example of His service to others, we might please Him in all that we do and say.
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