Wednesday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 9
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.”
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:
9:46–48 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 took a child … by his side. The attitude of heart Jesus is teaching does not even overlook a lowly child (at times marginalized in ancient societies) but receives, and thereby cares for, such a little one in Christ’s name. In contrast to the status-seeking of the disciples (v. 34), Jesus is showing them they should willingly take on lowly, often unnoticed tasks and care for those who have little status in the world. Anyone who does this, Jesus says, receives me and in so doing also receives the Father (him who sent me). (Receives not me should be understood as an idiom meaning “receives not only me”) Humbly caring for people of lowly status out of obedience to Christ (“in my name”) will be rewarded by rich personal fellowship with both the Son and the Father.
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).
9:46 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 took a child … by his side. The attitude of heart Jesus is teaching does not even overlook a lowly child (at times marginalized in ancient societies) but receives, and thereby cares for, such a little one in Christ’s name. In contrast to the status-seeking of the disciples (v. 34), Jesus is showing them they should willingly take on lowly, often unnoticed tasks and care for those who have little status in the world. Anyone who does this, Jesus says, receives me and in so doing also receives the Father (him who sent me). (Receives not me should be understood as an idiom meaning “receives not only me”) Humbly caring for people of lowly status out of obedience to Christ (“in my name”) will be rewarded by rich personal fellowship with both the Son and the Father.
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:
- One of the points from Sunday was that we can't miss his MISSION. God's will for our lives isn't OUR greatness. It's about HIS greatness. Our purpose is to serve him and others. However, most of our time and energy goes into serving and promoting ourselves. When you look at your life, do you think you're more about HIS greatness or your own? Are you most often concerned about others and their needs or are you mostly focused on your own? Is there any conviction here from the Holy Spirit that needs to be addressed?
- Our purpose is to BE the CHURCH! The church is a people, not a building. Our purpose is to join with other believers, the Church, and go out and be the light in a dark world. We are supposed to bring Jesus to a hopeless and dying world. When you look at your life and circles of influence, when you look at how you spend your time and money, can you truly say that you are engaged in his mission to reach the lost around you? What are you doing currently to be a light in the darkness?
Pray:
- That you would be about serving and promoting others.
- That you would be engaged in HIS mission.
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)
No Comments