Luke 9:46-50
In Jesus’ kingdom, the least are great, and rivalry must give way to humble reception and generous recognition of work done in His name.
46 An argument arose among them about which of them was the greatest.
47 Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side,
48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great.”
49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow with us.”
50 Jesus said to him, “Don’t forbid him, for he who is not against us is for us.”
In Jesus’ kingdom, the least are great, and rivalry must give way to humble reception and generous recognition of work done in his name.
Luke records Jesus correcting the disciples’ argument about greatness and their attempt to stop an outsider casting out demons in Jesus’ name, so that disciples learn that kingdom greatness is found in lowly reception and that ministry done in Jesus’ name must not be opposed out of possessive rivalry.
After Jesus announces that the Son of Man will be delivered into human hands, the disciples begin arguing about which of them will be greatest. Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, takes a child and has the child stand beside him. He teaches that whoever welcomes the child in his name welcomes him and the Father who sent him, and that the least among them is the greatest. John then reports that they tried to stop someone driving out demons in Jesus’ name because he was not one of their group. Jesus tells them not to stop him, because whoever is not against them is for them.
The Christ Revealed, the Cross Announced, and the Jerusalem Road Begun
Jesus is the Christ of God, the glorious Son who must suffer, and the resolute Lord who calls His followers into kingdom mission, daily cross-bearing, humble service, and undivided allegiance on the road to Jerusalem.