Tuesday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Luke 9
While everyone was marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, 44 “Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.” 45 But they didn’t know what he meant. Its significance was hidden from them, so they couldn’t understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
The Greatest in the Kingdom
46 Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. 48 Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”
While everyone was marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, 44 “Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.” 45 But they didn’t know what he meant. Its significance was hidden from them, so they couldn’t understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
The Greatest in the Kingdom
46 Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. 48 Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
9:44 [You] let these words. The subject “you” is emphasized in the Greek, underscoring the importance of heeding Jesus’ second prediction of his suffering. The Son of Man is about to be delivered (by God) into the hands of men.
9:45 The disciples’ lack of understanding is due to the meaning of Jesus’ words being concealed from them by God. Compare an almost identical statement in 18:34. And they were afraid to ask him, probably because they could comprehend enough of what he was saying that they did not want to know more.
9:46–48 Who Is the Greatest? The disciples’ inability to understand Jesus’ forthcoming suffering is linked to their own desire for greatness.
9:46 Which … was the greatest can refer to having the greatest authority, deserving the most preferential treatment, being most valuable, or being most favored by God. Any such comparison, however, was wrong.
9:47 Jesus, knowing … their hearts. See note on 4:23. took a child … by his side.
9:48 receives this child … receives me; receives me receives him who sent me. An example of “step parallelism” (cf. 10:16), in which the first thought is raised a step higher in the second thought: a child is received as a representative of Jesus; Jesus is received as a representative of God. he who is least. The one who is servant of all and thus has lowly status (Mark 9:35). who is great. In God’s eyes (cf. Luke 14:11; 18:14; 22:26), not according to the disciples’ mistaken understanding of greatness (e.g., 9:46).
9:45 The disciples’ lack of understanding is due to the meaning of Jesus’ words being concealed from them by God. Compare an almost identical statement in 18:34. And they were afraid to ask him, probably because they could comprehend enough of what he was saying that they did not want to know more.
9:46–48 Who Is the Greatest? The disciples’ inability to understand Jesus’ forthcoming suffering is linked to their own desire for greatness.
9:46 Which … was the greatest can refer to having the greatest authority, deserving the most preferential treatment, being most valuable, or being most favored by God. Any such comparison, however, was wrong.
9:47 Jesus, knowing … their hearts. See note on 4:23. took a child … by his side.
9:48 receives this child … receives me; receives me receives him who sent me. An example of “step parallelism” (cf. 10:16), in which the first thought is raised a step higher in the second thought: a child is received as a representative of Jesus; Jesus is received as a representative of God. he who is least. The one who is servant of all and thus has lowly status (Mark 9:35). who is great. In God’s eyes (cf. Luke 14:11; 18:14; 22:26), not according to the disciples’ mistaken understanding of greatness (e.g., 9:46).
Study Questions:
- After this miracle, and after "awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God's power" and after Jesus talked about the fact he was going to be betrayed, the disciples start arguing about which of them was the greatest. Talk about tone-deaf! They completely missed the point! Have you ever wondered how often YOU miss the point when it comes to God trying to speak to you? Are there things you might fail to learn from that God might be leading you through for a specific purpose? What is something in your life right now that you haven't stopped to think, "I wonder what God is trying to show me through this?"
- So Jesus, instead of rebuking them, responded by redefining what it means to be "great". For the disciples, being great was all about having the highest status. But in the Kingdom of God, it's just the opposite. Greatness is not about status, it's about SERVICE. It's about loving others... laying yourself down for them. One of the greatest examples of this was when King Jesus washed his disciples' feet. Included in that group was Peter (who would deny him), Thomas (who would doubt his resurrection) and Judas (who would betray him). And ultimately Jesus would go even further, laying his life down for all of humanity. In your life and in the way you relate to others, does this reflect your mentality? Do you put others before yourself or is it your first reaction to be selfish? What are some ways you can find to become the "least of these"?
Pray:
- That you would never miss the point,.
- That you would look for opportunities to put others first.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
5. Why do I follow Jesus? I follow Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead proving that He is the way, the truth and the life.
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
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