After the disciples get a little full of themselves and begin arguing over who would be the greatest in the Kingdom, Jesus gently teaches them. As you listen to and visualize this lesson from Matthew 18:1-5, Mark 9:33-37, and Luke 9:46-48, open your heart and ask God how this applies to your life.
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Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. My name is Julie Jenkins – I hope that you consider me your walking partner as we take this stroll together through the Bible, uncovering all that God wants to teach us today. I appreciate YOU for holding ME accountable to spending time in the Word! As I study, write and record these podcasts, I am always amazed at how much God teaches ME through the process. I hope you feel the same as you listen!
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Today’s Scripture, as we go along our journey, is Matthew 18:1-5, Mark 9:33-37, and Luke 9:46-48. Before we begin, let’s pray…
Dear Most Holy God, We come to you today with open hearts, ready to learn whatever you have for us. God, as we walk through your Word together, we recognize that bit by bit, we are getting a clearer picture of you and developing a closer walk with you. You promise us that if we ask for wisdom, you will grant it. And God, I know that you often give your wisdom through the reading and understanding of Scripture. So as we read and study today, will you shower us with your wisdom? We ask this in Jesus’ almighty name, Amen.
As we walk with Jesus through the Bible, we do indeed see Him clearer with each step. And, as the disciples literally walked with Jesus, they saw Him clearer as well. Peter, James, and John had just seen Jesus in all His glory at the transfiguration, and Peter received a personal miracle when Jesus provided him a coin from a fish’s mouth meant to pay the temple tax.
All of this personal attention, however, turned the disciples’ thoughts to themselves. They were recently filled with grief at the news that Jesus would be killed, but apparently, they quickly forgot that grief about Jesus’ upcoming pain as they each focused on themselves and began to wonder, “what’s in this for me?”
Luke 9:46 from the New Living Translation sets the scene…
46 Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest.
This may be perplexing to us, but I bet, if we think about it, we can all personally relate. There were 12 men, after all, and our logical minds tell us that SOMEONE had to be the favorite.
We don’t know who or exactly what instigated the argument, but one thing is certain: a lot of feelings likely played into the scenario. It is possible that Peter, James, and John were feeling prideful – because they were definitely emerging as Jesus’ inner circle. They saw it, and so did the other nine disciples. And let’s remember that in Jesus’ absence (while He was out gallivanting with Peter, James, and John), the other disciples had been unable to heal the demon-possessed boy – which may have led to a lack of self-esteem and feelings of inferiority. And then there was Judas, who we later learn wasn’t about following Jesus at all, but was likely in it only for himself anyway.
In most situations, there is a web of feelings and circumstances that can lead us to sin. And this was no different. Their argument was about status – which the world honors.
And it makes worldly sense that the more people who are below us – no matter how they got there – the higher we climb. The world teaches us to claim our place at the top of the heap, even if that means stepping on or over other people to get there.
We may look down on the disciples for arguing their case about who was the greatest in words, but we often argue the case for our own superiority in actions. For example, it is all too common for us to amass ridiculous stores of riches rather than use what God has given us to serve others. We often use our time to get degrees for the purpose of putting a lot of letters after our name to impress others, rather than for gaining knowledge to serve others. And it is commonplace for us to look sideways … and down … at those who may be living a sinful lifestyle, instead of reaching out a loving hand to help them.
Before we judge the disciples for foolishly arguing who was greater, we owe it to ourselves to look at ourselves and our own lifestyles and assess where we claim greatness over someone else. If you are feeling really brave, ask JESUS to show you where YOU are claiming greatness. But when you do, get ready, because Jesus knows…and you might be surprised as He takes off your blinders.
Jesus knows. He knows our thoughts, our actions, and our words.
But when we ask, we don’t have to be afraid, because we can trust Jesus’ gentle guidance to help us grow.
In Mark 9:33, we see that gentle guidance…
33 After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” 34 But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
As I read this, I had to ask myself, how often have I closed my ears to what Jesus was asking me? How many times have I refused to answer a question that I KNOW He already has the answer to?
If you read through the Bible, you will begin to notice that Jesus’ style of teaching often involves questions. Lots of questions! There is a truth in teaching that says that when someone figures out something rather than being told it, they develop a deeper understanding.
Jesus asked the disciples what they were discussing to make them think and to help them understand their sin of pridefully leapfrogging each other to greatness.
Then Jesus answered the question THEY had…who IS the greatest in the Kingdom? Mark 9:35…
35 He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”
This is so different from the world’s teaching, and something we must each take to heart. While there is nothing wrong with ambition or success, Jesus teaches us that HIS WAY to success and authentic leadership is through personal humility and service to others.
Jesus is a master at teaching through questions, and also through stories and illustrations. So next, He does something very memorable…Matthew 18:1…
2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. (Mark tells us He took the child in His arms…I love that visual) 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Let’s talk about a child’s place in the first century. We tend to elevate our children, to craft our family culture around the needs and desires of our children. But that was not the case in Jesus’ day, when children had no power, status, or rights. A child was often seen only in terms of adding to the family work structure and carrying on the family trade. Children were expected to be obedient and submissive and were completely dependent on their father’s goodwill.
So Jesus welcomes this child into the conversation and holds him in His arms. A picture of love and protection and acceptance. And then He tells the disciples that even to ENTER the kingdom of heaven, they must become like this insignificant child, serving in humble submission and becoming completely dependent on the Father’s goodwill. And then He drops the bombshell, the MOST humble will become the greatest.
What a paradigm shift – for the disciples AND for us!
I read a devotion today by Rick Renner that I want to share the gist of – it is based on 1 Corinthians 4:1, in which the apostle Paul calls himself a “mere servant of Christ.” The word Paul uses in the original Greek is huperetas (hu pair EH tays), which means “the essential attitude necessary to get a job done.”
Renner wrote that the original word hearkened back to the very lowest class of criminals who were often assigned to the galleys of the ship to row the ship – to keep it moving. Picture a ship powered by oars below, with the passengers and even workers up above in the sunlight moving swiftly across the sea. The reality is that the boat would not be moving at all without the power of the workers below, covered in sweat, working hard, hidden from glory.
That’s the kind of minister Paul was. That is who we are called to be.
To be great in the kingdom, and I can’t think of a better place to be great, we must humbly submit to our Father and depend on Him for wisdom, guidance, protection, and peace. We must serve those we are given the honor to serve. We must be the helping hands to pull others up when they fall. We must be the shoulders hoisting others to greatness. We must sit in the bottom of the ship and row our hearts out in the shadows, understanding that if we don’t do what we are called to do, the ship will become stagnant in the water.
Luke 9:48 assures us…
Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”
While that is an amazing thought, being the greatest should never be our focus, because God is the greatest!
In my home growing up we had a hanging that said J.O.Y …joy…Jesus. Other. You. Our first duty as Christians is to Jesus. Our second duty as Christians is to others.
When we raise up Jesus and Others, our status will automatically get upgraded! We are called to be like the children of the first century. Obedient. Submissive. Willing to listen in complete dependence to our Heavenly Father. THAT is being the greatest in the Kingdom.
Let’s pray…
Dear Loving Father! Your teaching is SO clear. We are to serve in humble obedience. We are honored to do so! For you are the best father ever. God, we give you our service, and we ask that you empower us to follow your call every step of every day. Show us who you would have us serve today. Give each listener a practical step to take, and remind her of your teaching today as she rows the boat. Always for your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.