Luke 9:43-48
But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus[d] said to his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
Questions:
ReplyDelete1. Why did Jesus choose this time to bum the disciples out?
2. Why didn't they understand what Jesus was saying?
3. How and why was this concealed from the disciples?
4. Why were they afraid to ask Him about it?
5. Why were they concerned about who was the greatest?
6. What did Jesus mean by involving a child in His response?
7. What does it look like to be the least (/ great)?
https://hartmangroupdevotionsmark.blogspot.com/2018/08/mark-930-37-30-they-left-that-place-and.html says:
ReplyDelete“Become as little children”: This is how Jesus characterized conversion. Like the Beatitudes, it pictures faith as the simple, helpless trusting dependence of those who have no resources of their own. Like children, they have no achievements and no accomplishments to offer or commend themselves with.
Little children have a special humbleness and are easily taught. Most adults are not this way. When a person is converted, it means he turned from his old ways and starts out brand new. A little child is enthusiastic and eager to learn, and has a love that is forgiving. He has simple trust.
When you receive a little child, you can't expect to get a reward in return, because he has nothing to give but himself. Helping a child of God, expecting nothing in return, brings a satisfying feeling. It, also, stores up treasures in heaven for you.
God is the rewarder of those who love and care for His children.
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The disciples had their mind of competition instead of conversion and in that regard, they were unenlightened, carnal and immature.
In order to be in the Lord's kingdom I have to change! I must give up that competitive drive to be better than others; I must come face to face with my dependence, be open about my spiritual needs, and be willing to listen and learn and be governed by the King, Jesus!
I must be converted: From pride to humility . . from worldly ambition to spiritual ambition . . from godlessness to godliness. I MUST BE CONVERTED; Jesus said, you must be born again!
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So many of the articles I found waxed on about a child's innocence and purity. I call bull. There hasn't been a child I have seen that hasn't been selfish, deceitful, fallen (just like all humans).
When Jesus is telling us to be like little children, I believe that He is not telling us to be pure and innocent (although, He does tell us to be that way throughout the Bible). He is telling us to be dependent and needy for our Father. Until we come to know our helplessness, we cannot accept God's grace. Until we realize our need for Christ, we don't need Him. A child cannot imagine life without his parents - even for a little while.
I think this distinction is important. If we think that Jesus is telling us to be pure and innocent, we will try to act that way - trying to earn our way. I believe that most (American) Christians have this problem. They try to be good, compare themselves with others, and become satisfied with their score they assigned themselves.
A true child of God fully realizes that they are helpless, and that the only way they can become pure and innocent is if God transforms them. A misunderstanding Christian strives on their own to transform themselves into the picture that the Bible paints of a transformed person.
If we miss the point on what Jesus is saying here, we will use the very words of Jesus to go astray.
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Therefore, “Take up your cross and follow Me” means being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. This is called “dying to self.” It’s a call to absolute surrender.
Discipleship demands sacrifice, and Jesus never hid that cost.
How many people would respond to an altar call that went, “Come follow Jesus, and you may face the loss of friends, family, reputation, career, and possibly even your life”?
If there comes a point in your life where you are faced with a choice—Jesus or the comforts of this life—which will you choose?
https://hartmangroupdevotionsmark.blogspot.com/2018/08/mark-930-37-30-they-left-that-place-and.html continued:
ReplyDeleteJesus' prophetic utterances about His upcoming death were given to provide certainty that when these events transpired, the disciples would look back and know that this was God's plan all along.
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By the time we get to verse 32, Jesus has just imparted a crucial teaching, telling them who he is, and not for the first time. The prospect of the Messiah being taken and killed just does not compute. When God comes in glory, it is surely to conquer his enemies, not to "be handed over into the hands of men, and they will kill him" (31). So, "they did not understand what he was saying and they were afraid to ask him" (verse 32).
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So why don't the disciples simply ask Jesus to explain? Probably because they don't want to appear as confused as they are. Or, their distress at his teaching is so deep they fear addressing it.
In our own time, no one wants to look uninformed, confused, or clueless. We withhold our toughest questions, often within our own churches and within Christian fellowship. We pretend we don't have hard questions. Yet the deepest mysteries of life do indeed elude us. Why do good people suffer? Why are humans so brutal to one another? Why does evil succeed? If God's own Son is betrayed and killed, then no one is safe. Why did God set up a world like this?
Verse 34 reveals what happens to the disciples when they sidestep the real questions they are afraid to ask -- they turn to arguing with each other, squabbling among themselves over petty issues of rank and status (verse 34). There is a direct line drawn from verse 32 to verse 34. When the disciples avoid asking hard questions, they focus on posturing about who is right.
We know this too well in the church. How would this story be different if the disciples had asked Jesus their questions? What kind of conversation might have ensued between Jesus and the disciples? What kind of relationship would it have engendered with each other?
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We’ve all been there. In a place where we simply can’t accept what is right in front of us.
But take note: This isn’t stupidity. This isn’t obstinacy. This isn’t a rigid unwillingness to face the facts. This is fear.
This whole picture is simply too terrible to face. It is too frightening. They don’t understand and, quite frankly, don’t want to. Not out of stubbornness, but out of fear, even terror.
Fear does that. It consumes you. It narrows options and constricts your vision of the future. Fear saps hope and strangles the imagination. Fear renders us powerless. Fear destroys possibility. And in this sense, fear, in some ways even more than death, is the opposite of life.
Which is why Jesus came. To take on our fear. To face what we could not. To travel to the cross, alone if necessary, because everyone else is too afraid.
And having mastered his fear, having born ours, having endured the fear of death and death itself by hanging on the cross, he creates a new possibility. Notice, he does not defeat death like some champion demi-God sent from heaven. We sometimes at that way, like Jesus is the original super hero. But we need to follow the story more carefully to understand it. What Jesus does, finally, is die. He is defeated by death, Yet God raises him from the dead.
That is, Jesus conquers fear in the only way possible: by trusting the love and mercy of God. By trusting that the life God promises and gives is, finally, greater than death. The only way through fear is by love and trust. And that’s what Jesus does, trusts the love of God. And in doing that he makes it possible for us, also, know and experience God’s love and find the ability to trust as well.
https://hartmangroupdevotionsmark.blogspot.com/2018/08/mark-930-37-30-they-left-that-place-and.html continued:
ReplyDeleteJesus’ response and His definition of greatness turn much of the first-century debate on its head. Notice in Mark 9:35 that He does not dismiss greatness as something that should not be desired. Instead, he transforms the disciples’ and our understanding of true greatness. The way to be first in Christ’s kingdom is to “be last of all and servant of all.” It is to put the needs of others before ourselves, to not think of ourselves as above any task that might be seen as trivial or lowly. Greatness is achieved through humility, through thinking of others first and ourselves last.
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Can you see the nature of man’s pride arise in this situation? But be careful, for what they did is a mirror for us, for we easily do the same thing. Who is the greatest in the kingdom of the church? The most obvious candidates are those of up front or serve in some leadership capacity.
However, the push to be the “greatest” is not always in an outward display. It can also be in the quietness of our hearts because we would be embarrassed to say out loud the kinds of things we think. Things like, “I am doing a better job than so and so because I . . .” “I am more spiritual than so and so because I . . .” “I please God more than so and so because I . . .” “I am more important to God’s kingdom than so and so because I . . .” You can fill in the blanks, but no, we are essentially no different from the disciples for pride and conceit are natural to the human condition.
Some people openly display their pride by their words and obvious actions. With others it can be very subtle such as a sideward glance, a look of disdain, a disparaging remark disguised as an innocent question, a statement about what they would do if they were in charge. Others may even do a good job at keeping their hidden thoughts hidden, but the proud thoughts are still there. Battling pride takes hard work, which why the Scriptures commands “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God” (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6).
Being humble does not mean you have to lack confidence or conviction, but it does mean that your understanding and desires are always placed in submission to God.
‘If any one wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” The principle itself is simple enough, but it is contrary to the way almost every human society establishes itself. The rulers act in a superior and domineering manner towards those under them. Those in authority demand obedience by those under them with threats of negative consequences if they do not. Those who are greater are served by the lesser. Greatness in the kingdom of heaven is the reverse with the greater serving the lessor and everyone being clothed with humility (1 Peter 5:5).
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All of us, being human, naturally think the things of humans. And because of that, we do not always understand the things of God. That should not surprise us or alarm us. When it happens, we need to patiently wait for God to reveal more to us. Of course, we need to do our part, searching the Scriptures and asking God for understanding.
The disciples didn’t understand. They argued. They did things they shouldn’t have. They didn’t ask questions they should have. They were ordinary people. God uses people like that.
Throughout history, Christians have wrestled with different doctrines and practices. Doctrinal errors are nothing new. That’s why it’s important that we always remain willing to re-examine the issues, admit our fallibility and be willing to change and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior. It may be difficult at times to change our ways, but that’s what we have been called to do. We are disciples, and thankfully, we are learning.
https://hartmangroupdevotionsmark.blogspot.com/2018/08/mark-930-37-30-they-left-that-place-and.html continued:
ReplyDeleteGod wants you to be great. God refuses to define the greatness of your life in dollars or cents, family or friends or kids, promotions or raises, accomplishments or recognition or fun. He loves you too much, and there’s too much at stake. When Jesus said he came that you might have a full and abundant life (John 10:10), he wasn’t promising less debt, longer vacations, or more power in the company. His promise is real, and following him will satisfy us beyond our wildest imaginations, but it won’t look like so much other so-called greatness around us.
Over and over again, he said that the kingdom had come with him (Mark 1:15). His kingdom was to expand and overwhelm every other kingdom (Mark 4:30–32). It was a kingdom of power, and exclusivity (Mark 4:10–12), and it was coming soon (Mark 9:1).
In Jesus, the disciples had found a king that promised them more than they’d ever known filling their boats with fish. He was their ticket to true greatness. This was their time to win, their time to reign. All of the sudden, with the Christ, they had their chance to be known, respected, and obeyed. “Kingdom” sounded like power and authority, freedom and fame.
When Jesus finally explained just what kind of king he was — just what it meant to be truly, deeply, lastingly great — they totally missed it. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise” (Mark 9:31). Sobering, confusing, even offensive. How do they respond? They walked away arguing over which one of them was the greatest — the chief among the otherwise forgettable fishermen (Mark 9:34).
Instead of hearing Jesus talk about his death and redefining greatness in terms of sacrifice — in terms of coming in last for the sake of love — they fought to be first. Jesus said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). Ambition in this life for greatness in this life will end up stealing your life. According to Jesus, the greatest among you won’t look very great after all. In fact, true greatness will often look like weakness, surrender, defeat, and even death.
Jesus had barely finished describing the humiliating and excruciating death he would die for them — betrayal and mockery and spitting and flogging and murder — and they’re already conspiring to grab some glory of their own. When he’s about to be brutally slaughtered in front of everyone for their sin, they’re scheming behind the scenes, looking for ways to use him to exalt themselves.
We healed people in your name. We hung with you when others rejected you. We handed out the bread and fish to the 5,000. Don’t we deserve a little more than everyone else? It’s ironic and foolish, but it’s also outrageous and tragic.
But Jesus confronts this ignorance with another primer on greatness. “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43–44). Servants in this life will rule the next. Slaves in this life will be kings forever.
When the greatest Greatness came into our world, he was born in a stable and laid in a feeding trough. He walked from town to town without a home, without a place to stay. He made some headlines with his message and miracles, but he made many more enemies. When the Son of God came, calling lowly fishermen to be his disciples, he kneeled and washed their filthy, undeserving feet. The King of kings — the greatest of all time — humbled himself to the point of death, even the most shameful, painful kind of death. True Greatness lost his life in love for us.
https://hartmangroupdevotionsmark.blogspot.com/2018/08/mark-930-37-30-they-left-that-place-and.html continued:
ReplyDeleteAnd true Greatness was revealed and glorified, not defeated at that grave.
And then Jesus called the disciples — and us all — to follow him, to follow that counter-cultural, humble, sacrificial, servant-hearted greatness. He said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:34–35). The call to live and be great is a call to serve and even die.
True greatness isn’t the kind that appears in bold letters on your favorite website. No, it shows up in the details of other people’s lives. If you aspire to be great, give yourself to the small, mundane, easily over-looked needs around you. God died that you might live. And that life — your new, blood-bought, forgiven, grace-filled life — was meant to be great. It was meant to be laid down in love for others.
https://hartmangroupdevotionsmark.blogspot.com/2018/08/mark-930-37-30-they-left-that-place-and.html continued:
ReplyDeletePut another way, Jesus isn’t interested in who we say is the greatest or even in who acts like the greatest or looks to be great. Jesus is interested in who acts with the greatest grace, compassion, and love.
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https://hartmangroupdevotionsmark.blogspot.com/2018/08/mark-930-37-30-they-left-that-place-and.html continued:
ReplyDeleteWhat Jesus does here is very profound. He recognizes in his disciples' quest for greatness a good thing that has become ugly and distorted by sin. And instead of destroying the whole distorted thing, he describes a pathway on which the distorted and ugly pursuit of greatness will be radically transformed into something beautiful.
Nowhere does Jesus criticize a person for pursuing true greatness or true significance. I think that's because he created us to be great and to be significant—to come to the end of our lives and feel that they were well spent and well invested. But what has happened to this God-given longing for greatness is that it has been corrupted by sin in two ways:
1. it has been corrupted into a longing not to be great, but to be known as great; and
2. it has been corrupted into a longing not to be great, but to be greater than someone else.
In other words, the joy of true greatness has been perverted by sin into the carnal pleasure we sinners get when others praise us and when we think we are greater than others are. Jesus sees this in his disciples and instead of destroying the whole distorted thing, he describes a pathway on which it will be radically transformed into something beautiful.
He says true greatness is not wanting to be first while others are second and third and fourth, but true greatness is the willingness to be last. And true greatness is not positioning yourself so that others praise you, but true greatness is putting yourself in a position to serve everyone—to be a blessing to as many as you possibly can.
So Jesus doesn't condemn the quest for greatness. He radically transforms it. Go ahead and pursue it, he says. But the path is down, not up.
The measure of true greatness is to what degree has the impulse to self-exaltation been crucified? How much heartfelt desire to serve others has there been? How much readiness and willingness to decrease while others increase?
there is no political payback in serving children: they can't vote. And they don't give speeches about how great is your helpfulness. In fact they pretty much take for granted that you will take care of them. They don't make a big deal out of the fact that you pour your life out for them. And so, children prove, more clearly than any other kind of people, whether you are truly great or not—whether you live to serve or live to be praised.
https://hartmangroupdevotionsmark.blogspot.com/2018/08/mark-930-37-30-they-left-that-place-and.html continued:
ReplyDeleteTwo things are utterly crucial in caring for children. One: is it done in Jesus' name? "Whoever receives one such child in my name . . . " Ministering to children in any way but in the name of Jesus, does not fulfill the will of Jesus. And the second crucial thing in caring for children is that we do it with a longing to experience more of Jesus and more of the One who sent him, God the Father.
For Jesus everything has to do with God, or it is fundamentally distorted.
Aren't you supposed to serve the children because of the children? Surely the answer of Jesus here is this: you serve a child best when you receive a child and care for a child and spend time with a child and hold a child NOT in the name of the child, or in the name of mankind or in the name of mercy or in the name of America's future, but in the name of Jesus, the Son of the living God. And you serve children best when you receive a child not merely because your joy is first in the child, but first and finally in God.
Why is this the best way to serve? Because the most important blessing you can give to a child is the all-satisfying centrality of God in life. And, believe me, this is caught more than taught. And that's why you must serve them in this way; you would lead them in this way.
Now put the two things Jesus said together. In verse 35 he said: if you would be first, you must be last of all and servant of all (especially children). And in verse 37 he said: if you receive a child in my name, you receive God. In other words, when I call you to be the servant of all, including children, I am not calling you to some heroic self-sacrifice. I am calling you to stop chasing the bubbles of man's praise and start pursuing God. Stop trying to receive praise in the service of men and starting receiving God in the service of children. What do you want? Do you want the fleeting praise of mortal men? Or do you want God?
https://hartmangroupdevotionsmark.blogspot.com/2018/08/mark-930-37-30-they-left-that-place-and.html continued:
ReplyDeleteMy 2 cents:
Summary of questions and possible answers:
1. Why did the disciples not understand what Jesus meant and why were they afraid to ask Him about it?
2. Why were the disciples arguing about who was the greatest?
The disciples had a deeply rooted cultural expectation of who and what the Messiah was going to be. When they put their lives on hold to follow Jesus, it was with the expectation that He was going to be a conquering hero that would free Israel from Rome and be king over the world. Consequently, they were going to have very high positions in His administration.
When Jesus kept saying that He was going to die as a sacrifice for many, that didn't fit their view at all. They were not able to hear that and didn't want to. When Jesus kept repeating this, it made them afraid that their dreams weren't going to come true after-all. They were afraid.
One way to take their minds off their fear was to discuss their future, according to their own dreams. That would naturally lead to discussions of who would be higher level administrators.
3. What did Jesus mean by saying anyone who wants to be first must be the very last and the servant of all?
4. What does it look like to be last?
This world puts importance on who is top dog - the alpha dog. In Jesus' Kingdom, things work differently. If you want to be close to what Jesus is doing, you have to serve like He did. Putting yourself last means dropping all of your ambitions, your self-promotion, and desire that people think well of you. If you want to be great in God's Kingdom - and God wants us to be great in His Kingdom - that means you will have to put everyone's needs above your own wants. It means that people will never recognize you in this world. It means that people will despise you and think poorly of you. It means that you will have to spend you life on those very people who think so poorly of you.
Parents of teenagers might understand this a little better :-).
5. Why should we welcome children?
6. What does it look like to welcome children?
Children are not innocent. They are as full of sin as adults. So, Jesus is not telling us to become innocent like children. I believe that He is telling us to become dependent on God like children are dependent on their parents.
This goes back to who is going to be great in the Kingdom of God. Doing what it takes to become great is beyond our abilities. We need total dependence on God - like little children.
God cherishes those who are dependent on Him. He cherishes both His spiritual children, who have been born again, and this world's children, who models the dependence that we need to have on God. We really can't welcome these children, unless we understand them. Our worldly hearts will tend to despise them in our hearts. (Just think about how condescending we are to children). But, when we become children, and rely on God, we will understand their powerlessness, and accept them as one of us.
God wants us to welcome our own. We are not treated well in the world, and He wants us to at least treat each other with love and respect.
https://www.preceptaustin.org/luke-9-commentary says:
ReplyDeleteAnd they were all amazed at the greatness of God - This description is unique to Luke (as is the statement about marveling). Mark 9:26-27 helps us understand why the were amazed and marveling because in those passages Mark says that after the demon had been commanded to leave the boy "became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up." (cf the little girl who had truly died in Lk 8:52-56-note, Mk 5:39-42, 41).
The Son of Man - This term was used frequent by Ezekiel to describe the prophet himself, but Daniel used Son of Man to refer to a prophecy of the Messiah (see below). In the NT Son of Man is used in 84 verses the majority referring to Jesus. Son of Man was Jesus' favorite description of Himself.
Leon Morris rightly reminds us that "On the other side of the cross it must have been terribly difficult to grasp the truth that Jesus’ Messiahship meant his death."
NET Note - The passive verb had been concealed probably indicates that some force was preventing them from responding. It is debated whether God or Satan is meant here. By Lk 24:25 it is clear that their lack of response is their own responsibility. The only way to reverse this is to pay careful attention as Luke 24:44a urges
Now what should a father or mother do in a case like this? They should do as the man before us did. They should go to Jesus in prayer, and cry to Him about their child. They should spread before that merciful Savior the tale of their sorrows, and entreat Him to help them. Great is the power of prayer and intercession! The child of many prayers shall seldom be cast away. God's time of conversion may not be ours. He may think fit to prove our faith by keeping us long waiting. But so long as a child lives, and a parent prays, we have no right to despair about that child's soul.
Such slowness of understanding may surprise us much at this period of the world. We are apt to forget the power of early habits of thought, and national prejudices, in the midst of which the disciples had been trained. "The throne of David," says a great divine, "did so fill their eyes that they could not see the cross." Above all, we forget the enormous difference between the position we occupy who know the history of the crucifixion and the Scriptures which it fulfilled, and the position of a believing Jew who lived before Christ died and the veil was rent in twain. Whatever we may think of it, the ignorance of the disciples should teach us two useful lessons, which we shall all do well to learn.
For one thing, let us learn that men may understand spiritual things very feebly, and yet be true children of God. The head may be very dull when the heart is right. Grace is far better than gifts, and faith than knowledge. If a man has faith and grace enough to give up all for Christ's sake, and to take up the cross and follow Him, he shall be saved in spite of much ignorance. Christ shall own him at the last day.
Finally, let us learn to bear with ignorance in others, and to deal patiently with beginners in religion. Let us not make men offenders for a word. Let us not set our brother down as having no grace, because he does not exhibit clear knowledge. Has he faith in Christ? Does he love Christ? These are the principal things. If Jesus could endure so much weakness in His disciples, we may surely do likewise.
https://www.preceptaustin.org/luke-9-commentary continued:
ReplyDeleteLuke 9:46 An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest.
People grasp for greatness because they mistakenly believe that greatness will make them more valuable or important to others. They believe greatness will make them happy and satisfy their soul. The grasp for greatness has the same effect among people today, causing disunity, disharmony, and jealousy. The next time you get into a dispute with someone, ask yourself, "Am I angry because I am grasping for greatness?"
The one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great - This is counter-intuitive! Heavenly esteem is the antithesis of worldly esteem! Here the least is the least and is sadly often exploited for that very reason. Heavenly greatness is the opposite of earthly greatness!
Stein - The term “least” has nothing to do with rank, talent, or importance but refers instead to the one most willing to humble himself in order to serve others.
The disciple who ministers to a person with no status as though he or she was ministering to Jesus does indeed minister to Jesus and to God the Father. The principle is that the disciple who is willing to sacrifice personal advancement to serve insignificant people, as the world views people, is truly great in God's estimation.
Life Application Study Bible - Our care for others is a measure of our greatness. How much concern do you show for others? This is a vital question that can accurately measure your greatness in God's eyes. How have you expressed your care for others lately, especially the helpless, the needy, the poor—those who can't return your love and concern? Your honest answer to that question will give you a good idea of your real greatness.
https://www.preceptaustin.org/luke-9-commentary continued:
ReplyDeleteSteven Cole - What can we learn here about pride and humility?
A. Pride begins in the heart and must be dealt with on the heart level.
Jesus knew “what they were thinking in their heart” (Lu 9:47). Pride was at the root of the original sin, where Eve thought that she could be like God if she disobeyed Him and ate the forbidden fruit. It is at the root of almost all sin, because we proudly think that we know better than God who has given us His commandments.
Also, dealing with pride on the heart level means examining our motives for what we do. Why do I serve Christ? Is it out of love and gratitude to Him, or is it to be recognized by others? What happens if I don’t receive the recognition that I think I deserve? Do I get hurt feelings and quit? Do I grow jealous of those who seem to be in the limelight? Or, do I truly rejoice with the success of other servants of the Lord because the name of the Lord is being glorified?
So often, in our hearts we want to be world-famous humble servants of Jesus!
B. Pride is fed by competition; humility is fed by cooperation.
There can only be one “greatest” disciple, and the way you determine the winner is by making comparisons. But Jesus totally disarms this way of thinking. He makes no comparisons among the twelve, or between them and anyone else. The apostle Paul does the same thing with the factious Corinthians when he says, “What do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1Co 4:7). In other words, God has given us everything that we are and have. We are only stewards or managers of it for His sake. Since it all comes from Him, it is ridiculous for us to be puffed up over our own gifts or abilities and to look down on others who don’t have what we have.
As Americans, we especially have to be on guard because our culture thrives on competition, not cooperation. We want to win, even (or, especially!) if it means crushing our opponents and making them look bad. If we promote teamwork, it’s only so that our team beats the other team.
C. Pride is fed by our association with the “important”; humility is fed by our association with the “lowly.”
The disciples were arguing about who was the greatest disciple of Jesus. At this point, Jesus was riding a wave of popularity. Crowds thronged around Him wherever He went. When Jesus was arrested and about to be crucified, it was a different story: they all left Him and fled. But for now, it made them feel important to be identified with Jesus.
D. Humility grows when we focus on Christ’s omniscient presence and on the cross.
If we would keep in view the suffering that Jesus went through to save us from our sins, how could we go on exalting ourselves over others? It was my pride and selfishness that put the sinless Savior on the cross.
https://www.preceptaustin.org/luke-9-commentary continued:
ReplyDeleteJ C Ryle - Luke 9:46-50 WHO WILL BE THE GREATEST
The verses we have now read contain two most important warnings. They are directed against two of the commonest evils which are to be found in the Church of Christ. He who gave them knew well what was in the heart of man. Well would it have been for the Church of Christ, if His words in this passage had received more attention!
(1) In the first place, the Lord Jesus gives us a warning against pride and self-conceit. And all this happened in the company of Christ Himself, and under the noon-tide blaze of His teaching. Such is the heart of man.
There is something very instructive in this fact. It ought to sink down deeply into the heart of every Christian reader. Of all sins there is none against which we have such need to watch and pray, as pride. It is a pestilence that walks in darkness, and a sickness that destroys at noon-day. No sin is so deeply rooted in our nature. It cleaves to us like our skin. Its roots never entirely die. They are ready, at any moment, to spring up, and exhibit a most pernicious vitality. No sin is so senseless and deceitful.
Let a prayer for humility and the spirit of a little child, form part of our daily supplications. Of all creatures none has so little right to be proud as man, and of all men none ought to be so humble as the Christian. Is it really true that we confess ourselves to be "miserable sinners," and daily debtors to mercy and grace? Are we the followers of Jesus, who was "meek and lowly of heart," and "made himself of no reputation" for our sakes? Then let that same mind be in us which was in Christ Jesus. Let us lay aside all high thoughts and self-conceit. In lowliness of mind, let us esteem others better than ourselves. Let us be ready, on all occasions, to take the lowest place. And let the words of our Savior ring in our ears continually, "He that is least among you all the same shall be great."
Questions and findings:
ReplyDelete1. Why did Jesus choose this time to bum the disciples out?
With all the excitement from the people around them, it raised Messianic expectations to fever pitch. It was essential that the disciples know what it meant to be the Messiah. It was pretty apparent by their argument about who was the greatest, that they needed this reminder.
2. Why didn't they understand what Jesus was saying?
Mostly because they didn't want to. It was a wet blanket on their dreams of being big shots in Jesus' soon coming kingdom. They were excited about it, and so was the crowd around them. There was no room for this defeatist talk of death.
3. How and why was this concealed from the disciples?
Their own excitement, expectations and attitudes concealed this from them, and at this time, the Holy Spirit didn't force it.
4. Why were they afraid to ask Him about it?
I would guess is that they didn't want to hear the answer. It went so counter to their expectations.
5. Why were they concerned about who was the greatest?
With their expectations of the big kingdom arriving anytime, it was natural for them to wonder what positions they were going to get and why. They expected Jesus to be king of the world and to gather armies around him to defeat Rome. And of course, it will be those disciples who would be given top positions in that kingdom.
6. What did Jesus mean by involving a child in His response?
Children were viewed as very lowly in that culture. The disciples needed to be lowly in their own eyes to even enter Jesus' kingdom. But it was more than that: A child is completely dependent on her/his parents. The disciples (and us) need to be completely dependent on God. There's no room for self-aggrandizement in that.
7. What does it look like to be the least (/ great)?
In God's kingdom, it's all about keeping our eyes focused on Jesus/God and being completely dependent on Him. When we do that, everything in us drops away. There's nothing left to be proud of. We become like nothing in the face of the glory of God. It's only when we take our eyes off of Him, that pride will enter.
An example from evangelism: I think we have been given a distorted vision of what it looks like. We think we should have our backs to God, His hand on our shoulder, looking out on the unsaved world and trying to save it. What we should actually do is face God, be overwhelmed by His love, holiness and beauty, and say to our neighbor, "You have got to see this!".