Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In multiple verses in the gospels, Jesus told His followers that greatness in God's eyes is different from the way that the unsaved world perceives it.

To the world, greatness is achieved through self-promotion, and recognition or acclaim from others. Those aspiring to be great think in terms of "making a name" for themselves by their accomplishments so that others will praise, applaud, and admire them (along with all the temporal benefits that may accompany such fame).

To Christians, true greatness consists in putting the needs of others above their own, even to the point of acting as a servant (or even a slave) to others (Mark 10:42-45). In this, they are following the example of Jesus, who (as noted by Paul in Philippians 2:5-8), although He was God, did not selfishly regard His station as God as something to be preserved or maintained at all costs, but emptied Himself by becoming human, and then humbled Himself even further to the point of undergoing an undeserved, excruciating, humiliating death for the salvation of humanity.

As Jesus Himself said (Matthew 20:28). He did not come to earth to be served by others, but to be a servant Himself, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Those who call themselves His disciples are to follow His example of humility and service to others.

March 14 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Christopher Burden Supporter

Man's measure of what is right isn't the same high mark as God's. A verse in proverbs talks about what appears right before man ends horrible. Exalted by man does not mean it is exalted by God. His ways are higher than ours, and His ways are better, and so are His decisions. 

If man chooses worldly ways, he most certainly chooses something God didn't choose. I would rather be Christ-like and face worldly condemnation than to be worldly and face Godly condemnation. The worldly ways aren't God's ways, and its idols aren't God's ideals. A shepherd boy, David, to be called to take down the giant, Philistine, no one other would face. Look at what happens after being called. Saul/Paul is another example. Just because a man is a slave doesn't mean God has little use for that man. We seek to understand God's ways. God can setup, and remove His kings, at his own will and choosing. This is His story, and we are His.

September 05 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Luke 9:48: And said unto them, "Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great."

Lord Jesus was revealing unto his disciples, as they could not cast out the demons from a child whose father brought him to them. The disciples were trying to be the ones having the great power of God given to them. (Lk 9:46) However, one needs to believe all things are possible by having faith in God and all things done in the name of the Lord Jesus only. The child's father cried out, "Lord I believe; help thou my unbelief." (Mark 9:23-24) 

The least today as the Lord reveals unto us, is the one who has the right knowledge to hold their tongue and to utter their words in a calm manner and the right spirit of discernment by prayer and fasting. (Pro 17:27/Mark 9:29) Many will face trials and tribulations, but those who possess this wisdom will endure with faith and patience, knowing that blessings will ultimately come from our Lord, to overcome the world. (John 16:33)

When Lord Jesus came to pass by Jericho with His disciples, a blind man was told Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. The blind man then cried out, "Son of David have mercy on me." Those who walked along with Jesus rebuked him that he should stay quiet. But he cried out much more as a child, being the least among all, with his faith “In God the Father who sent Him to him.” The multitude that passed by were commanded to bring him that cried out to Him. The blind man being the least among all, had the right wisdom given to him to cry out and utter his words as a child, having faith; then he received his sight. (Lk 19:40) The least among all to be fit for the kingdom of God, one must be like a child and be willing to hold the plough in their hands and not look back. (Lk 9:62)

When the disciples brought the colt to Lord Jesus, they placed their garments upon the colt, and He rode on it to go to the temple. The disciples rejoiced and praised God with a loud voice. Some among the multitude who were the Pharisees said, “Master rebuke thy disciples.” Lord Jesus said unto them that if they hold their peace, the stones will cry out for not being ploughed out from the merry clay. (Hab 2:9-11) If one looks back and holds their tongues in fear, the enemies who are the demons shall cast a trench about thee and thy children, to compass the ground within the walls. For then, they shall not know the time of the visitation of the Lord Jesus, who the Father sends from Heaven. (Lk 19:32-44) For they casted out all imaginations and every high thing that exalted itself and brought to captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ the Savior. (2 Cor 10:5) 

Jeremiah 23:5: Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

December 27 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

What did Jesus mean when He said "for he who is least among [you] is the greatest?" (referencing Luke 9:48)

Jesus, while He was here among us, had an assignment. He was totally dependent upon His heavenly Father from the beginning of His life in a barn, born and laid in an animal feeding trough, to being arrested, beaten, and mercilessly put on public display and crucified! He depended on His Father for His earthly ministry, and He knew it.

Jesus is the greatest person to ever live on this earth, but it didn't appear to be so when He was nailed to that cross! He appeared to be weak and defeated. Listen to the mockery: 

"He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.' " (Matthew 27:42, 43) This wasn't said by the Gentile oppressors but by the chief priests, the scribes and the elders - vs 41; they were considered to be the greatest among the people.. '('; ')'

This picture of the Savior of the world being mocked and reviled before dying a criminal's death, is a depiction of what Jesus was teaching when He taught that 'they who are least among us, are the greatest among us.' On that 'Good Friday,' Jesus the Christ, the only begotten Son of the living God, looked like the weakest an lowliest person on the planet Earth; nothing was farther from the truth! The most eye-opening part, is that His awful suffering and death was the heavenly plan ALL ALONG! (The greatest among us appearing to be the least). He prayed this prayer when it was time to be arrested:

"Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was." (John 17:1-5). 

What a remarkable entreaty! He says He's 'done His part.' (finished the work He was given to do.) Now it's the Father's time to "Glorify Me together with Yourself" (let's go to the cross and receive glory). REMARKABLE!

Jesus proclaimed that He'd been given authority over all flesh. And the proof of Him being fully in control with all of that glory and authority, would be realized when He finished His prayer for Himself, His disciples, and for future believers (us), was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane later on that night (John 18), and was subsequently nailed to a cross on a hill called Calvary (Luke 23:33). 

("A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.") Matthew 5:14. 

Authority and Glory WILLINGLY nailed to a cross by them who would receive redemption for all of their sinfulness! That is surely a snapshot of what the least among us being the greatest looks like!

Those among us who whose desire is to be great... are you sure?

April 03 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report