Danny Hickman

What prompted Jesus to tell them His view on 'greatness'? What precipitated this? Let's back up a step:

Jesus had just healed a boy with an unclean spirit (Luke 9:37-42). Then out of the blue, He foretold of His impending death; but He didn't explain it to them. Vs 45 says, "But they didn't understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it." That sparked an argument among His disciples.

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).

I bet they were even more confused now! Jesus, who they'd seen do the seemingly impossible, is talking about dying! There's NO WAY they could understand that without some special training. He's in fact telling them that the greatest among them was the child standing next to Him!! And they could be as great as that child if they (here it is) STAND NEXT TO HIM! They were discussing who would take charge of their ministry when Jesus was no longer with them. They had NO CLUE of how His followers must be LED BY HIM!

His Father sent Him to die! He came to us (LED BY) in the Father's name. His followers are likewise sent forth in His name, and are to have the same spirit of genuine humility (Eph 4:1, 2).

4 days ago • Report