Tuesday 29 October, 2019

46 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 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.” 49 “Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” 50 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

Jesus has just told his group of disciples that he will be betrayed. They don’t understand what he’s talking about but one thing they do understand: who will be the next leader? Who will be the greatest among them? And it turned into quite an argument. I wonder how they were measuring their worthiness of being the greatest? Did they start arguing about many healings and deliverances they had done? Or perhaps their ethnicity?

Jesus heard them arguing and challenges their thinking. He brought a little child to stand next to Him to demonstrate his point: your significance is not based on age or ability or position. There’s no pecking order. What you think brings significance, doesn’t. In fact, you’d be surprised what does: being humble, carefree, trusting and reliant on the Father. Being His kid and being loved by Him is what brings you significance.

What do I rely on to make me significant – things I’ve done or being His kid?

Jesus, I’m thankful that you don’t entertain our wrong thinking. Instead You challenge it in order to set us free. May we be like little children, known and loved by the Father and secure in His love for us.

Written by Gab Martin