Saturday 21st June
Read Luke 9:46-48
“An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and made him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.’” (NIVUK)
Second lesson: Greatness is humility
If the first lesson Jesus provided the disciples upon their failure with the possessed boy was that greatness is found in weakness. The second follows quickly. Greatness is humility.
It is hard to imagine grown men arguing over who is the most important amongst them. From the outside looking in it seems incredibly childish. It must have seemed that way to Jesus also – for He took a child and placed the child beside Him – in the very place the disciples were fighting for! He considered it childish behaviour also and made the point with a child.
As CS Lewis said, humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. In order to do that, one needs to see, actually see, everyone. Children are so easily overlooked, yet greatness is found in welcoming them – the least important people in any crowd. To do that one needs the humility to think of others first.
The second lesson takes a lifetime to learn. Pray for the wisdom and grace and humility to learn it.
