Father, thank You for my companion through life. You have blessed me in so many ways because of the blessing she is to me! Bless her, too!
Luke 9:46-48 (<<click to read the passage)
Humility can be hard – even for those who are pretty meek and mild.
I remember an incident from my middle school years. We were on a class trip to the Great Smokey Mountains. The unwise chap that I was, had squandered the money I had been given. When it came time for breakfast on the last morning of our trip, I was broke – nobody’s fault but mine. One of the mothers offered to buy me a bite. I eagerly accepted but instead of humbly ordering something inexpensive and modest, I ordered more than I really needed. I remember my benefactor being a little put-off…and she had every right to be.
In today’s passage, the disciples were arguing “as to which of them might be the greatest [surpassing the others in esteem and authority].” v46 and here is the last line of what Jesus had to say to them,
“…the one who is least among all of you [that is, the one who is genuinely humble—the one with a realistic self-view]—he is the one who is [truly] great.” v48
We can blame the world all we want, but in the end, it is our choice to be “genuinely humble” …or to think of ourselves with an unrealistic self-view.
Now, yeah, I was probably just being an unthinking, prepubescent dweeb but, here, over forty years later it still weighs on my conscience. Sure, I’ve matured, but for any of us does that tendency to do what benefits us ever really go away?
Standing at a buffet, do we stand before the bin of broasted chicken and deliberately pull out the choicest piece of the bunch? Or maybe we snatch up the three legs that are left because they are our favorite?
Or maybe more recently, when we’ve been out grabbing a few things at the grocery and there are only two packages of toilet paper left on the shelf and we’re allowed to get two, do we take them both without a second thought?
I could go on…but think you get the point.
My study Bible* has this to say,
Our care for others is a measure of our greatness. How much concern do you show for others? This is a vital question that can accurately measure your greatness in God’s eyes. How have you expressed your care for others lately, especially the helpless, the needy, the poor—those who can’t return your love and concern? Your honest answer to that question will give you a good idea of your real greatness.
Lord Jesus, speak to the depths of our hearts. May we truly…honestly…see who we really are. If there is something there that doesn’t belong, may we give it over to You. And then, and only then, can we move on to the greatness You have in store. Amen.
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Apr 26th, 2020, Sun, 8:41 pm
