Luke 9:43b-50 — I'm the best.....right...?

READ THIS: Luke 9:43b-50

43b While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, 44 “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it. 

46 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.” 

49 “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.” 50 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

Jesus heals a demon-possessed child, and everyone is majorly impressed because no one else had been able to do that. In the midst of everyone's amazement, Jesus leans over to His disciples and makes it clear that He might not always look that impressive. While He is the Son of God, He will still be killed by men. That's what He is saying in verse 44. 

For context about the use of Son of Man in verse 44, you need to look in the book of Daniel, where there is a vision about someone who looks like a son of man. That person is given eternal rule over the earth. Jesus looks like a son of man because He is human, but He also only looks like it because in truth He is the Son of God. But, He will allow people to kill Him despite how that might make Him look weak. He is willing to do that because He is obedient to God and seeks after a plan that is far better than Jesus just looking powerful. 

The disciples struggle to understand the concept of putting aside pride for the Kingdom. They argue about who is the best, and they take offense at someone outside of their group healing people. Instead of being excited about Kingdom work taking place, they're upset. But, Kingdom work isn't about looking like the best or being in the right group. Kingdom work is about God's plan and living into it, even if it makes us look silly or weak or uncool. 

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Why do you think Jesus answers the disciples' bickering over being the greatest with a declaration that welcoming a child is like welcoming Jesus? (If you're stuck on any kind of answer, one answer could be found by thinking about who your focus is on when you are welcoming someone versus who your focus is on when you are comparing yourself to others).

2. Why would Jesus refer to Himself as the Son of Man? What does that mean?

TRY THIS:

Name three reasons why Jesus is the greatest!

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