Have you ever behaved like the disciples of Jesus at the beginning of this story? "An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest."
1*.
All around you people are trying to become the greatest; maybe it is in sport, or in school work, or in business, or in politics or in world powers, and so it goes on!
Jesus was going to settle their argument once and for all. If you think you know who it was that Jesus named to be the greatest then you are wrong! Jesus NEVER named any one of His disciples to be chief or leader over the others. No one of them would rule over the others!
2*.
When religions today set up their leaders to rule over them like kings it is a sure sign that those religions are not true followers of Jesus because they are ignoring Jesus' teachings.
The true Christian teaching is that Jesus Himself is the Head of the Church, and this never changes.
3*.
Jesus Himself is the great High Priest for His people, and this does not pass on to anybody else.
4*.
But men still go against Jesus' teachings and want to have power and greatness in religion. Jesus has warned us to expect this. He said that MANY would come claiming to be in the place of Christ and that they would deceive many into following them! These deceived people would actually believe they were followers of Christ!
5*.
Let us see how Jesus responded to His disciples arguing among themselves about which of them was the greatest.
"Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and made 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 he who is least among you - he is the greatest.'"
6*.
What would you think of a person who took the time and effort to help little children to know and love and trust Jesus Christ? Maybe you would think they were doing the least important work, but God sees that person as being truly great in His sight!
So, true greatness before God is not something for experts!
To become one who is great in God's sight you would, of course, first of all have to be made acceptable to God. This can only be done by putting your faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins and acceptance with God.
7*.
You can then be considered great in God's sight if you welcome little children in Jesus' name - teaching them to have faith in Jesus, the Priest and Saviour God has given for mankind.
8*.
It is a terrible mistake to think that children are all right with God just because they are children.
Children need Jesus
to be their Saviour or they will be lost! 8*. Jesus is counting on true Christians to faithfully teach the children about Him and to live as good examples before them.
9*.
To bring children to learn of Jesus will make you great in God's sight, but, be prepared, other people might despise you for doing it!
8*.
Is God's approval the most important thing for you? Read about being great for God in Luke's Gospel chapter 9, verses 46-48.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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Footnotes. Bible quotations from N.I.V.
