Here the students are embarrassed by their Teacher’s question – What were you arguing about on the road?
They are too ashamed to answer - They kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
That’s just great, isn’t it?
Funny even! For in the presence of the greatest Person who ever lived, His students are lining up to vie for a very distant second place!
Ok, we’ll go along. Who is the greatest among them?
The Teacher tells them - If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.
Then to explain, He calls a child to stand among them.
Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."
I’m sure Jesus’ students never thought like this before. Never knew God looked at greatness this way! Doing something for the helpless!
This is not what they learned in the world. Titles, position, power, ability, influence, prestige, degrees!
Not so, says the Teacher. Not in God’s world.
The very last one is first. The one who helps those who can never serve to advance their own interests! A child for instance!
The world says that’s a ridiculous waste of time.
The Teacher says - that’s just great!
and after 2000 years we find some students with similar questions and arguments. Funny how some things stay the same.
ReplyDeleteThe world still thinks the ways of the teacher are a waste.
Yet His words are still true.
What benevolent thing have we personally done lately?
How have we welcomed a child, or widow or orphan?
Do we leave that up to the church? Or are we also doing this individually?
In doing so, we help another human, and welcome not only Christ, but also God!