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
+
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.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestCalled by GraceOur Eternal High PriestPerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGifts of the CrossFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good as DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in ChristEyes on JesusDisciplineCast His Eye On YouIt HurtsWeak Knees
March
Strive For PeaceNo Fire For YouMount ZionAn Unshakable KingdomA Kingdom That Cannot Be ShakenBrotherly Love in ChristConfidence in ChristSteadfast in ChristOutside the CampSacrifices of PraiseJoyful Obedience in ChristPray for Your PastorsEquipped by the Blood of ChristEncouragement in ChristGrace Be With You AllGod’s Sovereign HandFaithful in a Foreign LandFaithful in the Small ThingsTrusting GodWisdom from AboveEarthly Wisdom Fails, But Christ ReignsTrue Wisdom and the CrossThe Wisdom of Man FailsConfidence in God's MercyGod of Mercy and MightA Deliverer Sent by GodNo Wisdom but ChristThe Kingdom That EnduresThe Rock That Stands ForeverEarthly Kingdoms CrumbleThe Kingdom That Stands Forever
No Comments