THE ONE WHO IS GREATEST

Passage: Luke 9:46-56

Key verse: 48

NIV

46 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.(A) 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts,(B) 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.(C) For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”(D)

49 “Master,”(E) 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.”(F)

Samaritan Opposition

51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven,(G) Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.(H) 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan(I) village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John(J) saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them[a]?”(K) 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then he and his disciples went to another village.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 9:54 Some manuscripts them, just as Elijah did
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Who Is the Greatest?

46 (A)An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, (B)“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and (C)whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For (D)he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

Anyone Not Against Us Is For Us

49 (E)John answered, “Master, we saw someone (F)casting out demons in your name, and (G)we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, (H)for the one who is not against you is for you.”

A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus

51 When the days drew near for (I)him to be taken up, (J)he set his face (K)to go to Jerusalem. 52 And (L)he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of (M)the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But (N)the people did not receive him, because (O)his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell (P)fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”[a] 55 But he turned and rebuked them.[b] 56 And they went on to another village.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 9:54 Some manuscripts add as Elijah did
  2. Luke 9:55 Some manuscripts add And he said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of; 56for the Son of Man came not to destroy people's lives but to save them”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Welcome Jesus (46-50)

Jesus' disciples neither understand the spiritual nature of Jesus' kingdom, nor his heart. Men who lack spiritual understanding become political. Jesus taught them that they must have humble hearts that can welcome children. He said, 'Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me.' We must welcome humble people in Jesus' name because Jesus died for them, too. John and the others revealed their political attitude when they stopped a man from driving out demons in Jesus' name. Anyone who fights Satan is on Jesus' side.

2. Sons of Thunder (51-56)

The Samaritans didn't know that Jesus was going to Jerusalem to die for the sins of the world. James and John wanted to punish the Samaritans who didn't welcome Jesus. They didn't know Jesus' mind or his purpose.

Prayer: Lord, give me a humble heart and spiritual eyes to see your work.

One Word: Welcome others in Jesus' name