Who is the Greatest

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Scripture: Luke 9:46-48 (ESV)

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.”

Devotion:

            In our country, there is an almost embarrassing importance given to polls. We are constantly looking to see who is the most popular candidate or which idea is most the most favored. Our society is obsesses over popularity and power. Jesus in this short, but powerful story, tries to lift our eyes past this need to be the biggest star on the stage getting us to focus our attention on those who seem to have no importance in man’s eyes.

            This is no isolated incident among the disciples. Jesus disciples regularly argued about who should be the greatest among them. Jesus, although not approving of their arguments, understood the human need to be assured of the value of the individual’s life. He had been tempted by the devil in the wilderness to worship Satan and receive great power and fame. Jesus resisted the temptation to power then, so we must refuse the sinful allure of power and fame now.

            Jesus use of a small child as the example for the disciples is instructive. Children in Jesus day were considered as being worthless. They were seen as weak and insignificant. It makes one realize their own need to have humility in all things. The rich and powerful of this world are absolutely impotent against the power of God over all the world. Just as a small child needs protection from his or her parents, so we need the protection of our Father in Heaven.

            No matter how long we have been following the Lord, we all need to remember the need to be humble children in his sight. God has provided all the strength and skills we need to be able to complete his mission in our lives. There is no success unless the Lord grants it. We like the poor widow may only have 2 pennies to offer our Lord but that is enough. If we will be available for God to use us. Broken as we are. God will use us for his glory. (Not our own.)

            Let us pray to the Lord that we may be content to be who he made us to be.

            Lord, we come before you confessing our sin of wanting to be the most important, impressive, and famous in the world. Help us to live as little children dependent wholly upon you for our survival. Lord, teach us to lift each other up and seek no recognition for ourselves. Lord, come to us as a savior today. Lift us up from the pit death and hell to live with you forever as your children in heaven. Amen.

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