The Greatest In the Kingdom

By Mary Vee
Mark 9, Matthew 18, Luke 9

Peter

Sea of Galilee shore at
Capernaum. Photo by Mary Vee

I am a disciple of Jesus.

The other disciples and I walked through Capernaum with Jesus toward a house he had planned to stop at for the evening.

We walked in small groups instead of a close together, because Jesus wasn't teaching at the time. One of the disciples near me started a discussion about which of the disciples was the greatest among us.  

I'm not even sure what brought the idea to mind. Soon the discussion turned into an argument about who the most important disciple was to Jesus. This person is. No, that person is because-- We argued the whole way until we reached the house.

After we walked inside, Jesus asked us, "What were you arguing about on the road?"

We looked at each other, all too embarrassed to answer the question.

Jesus sat and called us to his side. He said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Jesus called a small child. He had the child sit with us. "Whoever accepts a little child in My name accepts Me. Whoever accepts Me, accepts not me but the One who has sent me.

Before I met Jesus I would have thought, how did he know what we fought about? I don't wonder anymore because I know He is the Son of God. 

Jesus said to all of us, "I will explain in another way. Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or tending the sheep. The servant returns from the field after working the day. Would you say to the servant, 'Come at once and sit down to eat?' Wouldn't you say, 'Prepare something for my supper, and serve me. When I am finished eating, you may have your supper.' Do you thank the servant for obeying your instructions? I think not. 

"In the same way, when you have done all the things you have been commanded to do, you should say, "We are unworthy servants. We have only done our duty. Unless you change your minds about who is the greatest and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

"And so I say, whoever humbles himself like the child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.