“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 had 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.” Luke 9.46-48
This is one of my favorite passages and most important lessons. It’s almost unfathomable to imagine the disciples arguing about their own greatness while in the presence of Jesus. I mean, if they were at home talking with their wives and trying to decide their place, that’s one thing. But to do so right next to Jesus? If they had fully known who He was, what He was, and what He would do, they would have never even entertained the idea.
This is one reason Jesus is so relatable. He was fully a man—God in the flesh, of course—but don’t you think there must have been times when they were just hanging out and Jesus was simply one of the guys? He walked among us. He ate, He went to the bathroom, He slept, and He joked. Jesus WAS one of us. So it’s easy to believe the disciples began to forget who Jesus really was and started thinking about their own greatness.
When the argument came up, Jesus—who can read thoughts and intentions—knew what they were talking about. Yet He did not rebuke them outright. Instead, He found a child, brought him next to Him, and said, “It is the one who is least among you who is the greatest.” It’s not that we can’t be great in God’s Kingdom—we are His chosen sons and daughters—but it is He who makes us great, honored, and set apart. Our greatness comes only through humility, only in submission, only in putting God and others first and ourselves last.
James reminds us to humble ourselves before the Lord, and He will lift us up. Jesus is described in Philippians 2 as humbling Himself, taking the form of a servant, and becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross. Only then was He exalted. Can we strive for anything less?
“O Lord, it is hard to be humble! It is hard to be human. Everyone wants to be great, everyone wants to be significant. But You are in our midst. How can any of us claim greatness when You are God Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth? We might not be great, but we are loved by You. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill us with Your power and might. Help us know the truth of Your Word and to believe it. I praise You, Lord, and glorify Your name. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.