CHARACTERISTICS OF JESUS’ KINGDOM
Keywords 9:48b
For he who is least among you
all--he is the greatest.
1. The least is the
greatest (43b-48)
Jesus’
popularity might have been at its peak but he was not swept up in the
moment. He told the
disciples that he would be delivered into the hands of men.
The disciples did not
understand. However, rather than seek clarity, they began to
argue about who would
be the greatest. Jesus had a little child stand beside him
and explained that
welcoming a little child in his name was like welcoming Jesus.
Jesus did not care
about human praise and honor. He came to serve and those
who serve the least
in his name would be the greatest.
2. When our pride
gets in the way (49-56)
John tried to stop
someone from driving out demons in Jesus’ name. His pride
must have been
bruised, especially after the disciples had failed to drive out
demons earlier.
(9:39-40) Jesus told him that whoever was not against him was
for him. Later Jesus
wanted to enter a Samaritan village but was not welcomed.
James and John were
offended and asked about calling down fi re from heaven.
Jesus rebuked them
for reacting in pride.
Prayer Lord, thank you for
welcoming me. Help me not to live by my pride but to
serve others in your
name.
One Word Welcome a little one
in Jesus’
name