February 17, 2021
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46 An argument arose among [the disciples] as to which one of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, 48 and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.” – Luke 9:46-48
Greatness is so often associated with those who have great power, prestige, or prominence. In our society we seem to begin to award greatness to those who among us are the smartest, best in their sport or field of study. Even the disciples argued amongst themselves who is the greatest at being a disciples, in other words who is most like their teacher/leader, Jesus.
Jesus disrupts this kind of talk, in much the same way Jesus disrupts the notions of power and authority in this world throughout the gospels. Jesus speaks to the very heart of those who have ears to listen, and when we do truly listen, our worldly notions of power, authority, and kingdoms crumble. Jesus, is instead, showing us the path to humility, to be least in order to be greatest – “for the least among all of you is the greatest.”
At the beginning of the season of Lent, the time of reflection and repentance preparing ourselves for Easter, I find that it is best to remind each of us that Jesus call to be great is a call to humility, to follow in His example, he who humbled himself in obedience, and even death on a cross (Philippians 2:6-11).
When we look to Jesus, we should realize that the status quo is disrupted, because Jesus does not replicate the world’s way of thinking. Jesus turns to the margins, calls a little child to come and stand in their midst, and says the one who welcomes this little one, is the one who is truly great. Wouldn’t it be great for us to think of how Jesus loves the little children? And then, we could begin to treat others as if they too are children of God, because that is truly who they are.
This lent, what can we do, individually, or as a church, to humble ourselves, to support the children of God, to share in the acceptance of Jesus, welcoming all the children of God? I hope we will continue to find new ways to reach out to those around us, brining hope and light.
Grace & Peace,
Sam