Scripture: Luke 9:46-50
An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Aware of their deepest thoughts, Jesus took a little child and had the child stand beside him. Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me. Whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever is least among you all is the greatest.” John replied, “Master, we saw someone throwing demons out in your name, and we tried to stop him because he isn’t in our group of followers.” But Jesus replied, “Don’t stop him, because whoever isn’t against you is for you.”
Thought for the Day: There is an old proverb: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. It implies that discovering a common enemy can unite those who had previously considered themselves enemies. Jesus suggested something similar, yet in a much more positive way. The disciples were trying to make someone into a enemy because they were not part of the club. Jesus spun their concerns by suggesting that you do not necessarily need to be a so-called insider to be an activist for the Kingdom of God. The disciples, like so many throughout the history of the church, were concerned about correctness as defined by those who had already ordained themselves as owners of the correctness. What’s funny to me is how those among the insiders were themselves jockeying for position – hoping to create another level of correctness. Scripture says that Jesus often went away to be alone. Don’t you imagine he did so, in part, out of frustration. Jesus presented grace and humility beyond measure, and then his closest followers spent time arguing over the wrong stuff – arguing over the very stuff that in fact undermined the message of Jesus. Thank goodness we don’t do that any more (that’s sarcasm).
Prayer: So often we want to demonstrate our special status in your Kingdom, and so we push others down and throw ecclesiological elbows in our attempt to rise to a place of prominence. Forgive us, Merciful God, for as we rise to some place of pompous pride, we discover how you are no where to be found. For you continue to empty yourself that humility and love can be put on display. Let us follow you and your definition of greatness. Amen.
