#58 Luke 9:46-50 Which Would Be The Greatest?

On February 12, 2022 by

Joy:
Episode #58 Luke 9:46-50

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin

Amy:
If you are anything like us, you desire to listen carefully to Jesus every day, or maybe you don’t really know who this Jesus is or what he’s all about. Put aside what the world or religion has taught you, and come see for yourself. This podcast makes space to spend time with Jesus and his words directly.

Each week we read a passage from the Bible several times and create stillness after each reading that we also might be still and know him more.

We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before we read today’s passage, take a few moments to give God the things that are on your mind. Maybe it’s anger, frustration, annoyance, hope, love, gratitude, or a mix of all of these things and more. Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to the Lord in this next minute.

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy:
As I read the passage for the first time, consider the question, What does this passage say about God?

Luke 9:46-50 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 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.”

“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”

“Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

 Again?

Luke 9:46-50 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 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.”

“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”

“Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

 Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about God?

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
As I reread the passage, consider the question: What does this passage tell you about people?

Luke 9:46-50 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 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.”

“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”

“Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

 Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about people?

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know Or Do Today?

Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

Luke 9:46-50 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 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.”

“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”

“Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

Take the next minute to ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you turn your face toward his, incline your ears to his voice, and listen carefully to him.

One Response

Amy:
The disciples, steeped in wrong-thinking, argued amongst themselves about who would be the greatest. They didn’t directly bring this question to Jesus, but they were still following him. In other words, they were still in his classroom. And Jesus, like a good teacher walking around the room and looking over the shoulder of his students to examine their work and provide any needed corrections, read their thoughts and corrected their thinking. I love this about Jesus. We do not have to fear wrong-thinking for too long. If we follow Jesus, stay in his classroom, and accept him as our teacher, we can trust he will correct us.

When, like the disciples, our minds fall to comparison, and we secretly wonder how we measure on some scale of greatness, Jesus will work to reset our gaze on that which matters most, Love.

When, like John, our minds fall to segregation and exclusion, separating people into groups of who is worthy of doing the work of God and who is not, Jesus will work to reset our gaze on that which matters most, Unity.

Closing

Amy:
Joy and I will be back next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.

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