How great are you?
This week I have been reading Luke. This third book in the New Testament was written by a well-educated Doctor between 59-63AD. It is a beautiful and detailed eye-witness account of Jesus’ activity. In chapter 9 something came up with Jesus’ closest followers...
“An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and made 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.’”
I love the honesty and humanity of these disciples! At this stage, they did not get what Jesus was about and tried to promote themselves over each other. You can almost feel the testosterone in the conversation! Jesus seized the moment to teach them something. The child symbolised somebody who was trusting and unpretentious. That was how they were to be towards Jesus. It’s not about self-promotion but self-denial, seeking to put God and others first. So what does that look like for you today...how ‘great’ are you?
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader