Luke 9: Who is the greatest?

While everyone was marvelling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

Luke 9:43-48 (NIV)

Whether we’re seeing it play out in the Mark Drama or reading in Luke’s gospel, whether in Nigeria or the UK, it’s rather shocking seeing Jesus explain how he would give his life for others, only for the disciples to be more concerned with their prestige. And yet we easily see the same thing tearing apart translation teams and churches.

We foolish disciples need to keep on learning that the one who makes themselves least important is actually the greatest in God’s eyes. Let us pray that God would open our eyes and turn us away from seeking our own promotion and glory, even in his name.