Lesson 30: Luke 9:46- 54 Receiving as a Little Child

Who is the Greatest? 9:46-48

English Standard Version (Chapter 9)

46 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, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

This was not a private instruction time as a child was present. I can easily see this happening today but the competition between them seems to be out of place amongst tis crew. It is true that only a few were on the Mount of Transfiguration so they may have gotten a clue that some of us have “it” and some of us do not. Anyway you look at it, the discussion as to who is the greatest had gotten started behind the back of the Lord Jesus. There was a child close by, indicating a public gathering and he was drawn up close by Jesus as used as an example for these proud men. Men do not like being compared to a child, but here goes. It was a very powerful teaching.

Receiving Jesus must be done as a man receives a child in the name and person of the Savior. Liking to have children in your presence is a pre-requisite to your having a place for Jesus in your life. If you have a wholesale rejection of children, then one must conclude you have never met Jesus. To not stray off topic, but it does give us insight as to why we have put to death 60-80 million children through abortion since Roe vs. Wade. Our culture and our country have not just rejected abortion, they have rejected Jesus Christ.

Now the most powerful aspect of this gentile rebuke: the least of you will be the greatest. The Psalmist proclaimed this truth in Psalm 18:35-

“Thou hast given me the shield of salvation: and and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.”

The emphasis is mine, but David has already made Jesus’ point. It’s not the most powerful, the smartest, the most aggressive, or the most positive. You have to be gentle enough to give loving acceptance of a child, and to think of yourself as the least of your brethren. Let me share with you the same words from 2 Samuel 22:34–36. Again, this was David:

32 “For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? 33 This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless.

34 He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. 35 He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

36 You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness made me great. 37 You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip;

38 I pursued my enemies and destroyed them, and did not turn back until they were consumed. 39 I consumed them I thrust them through, so that they did not rise; they fell under my feet.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Samuel 22:32–39.

Jesus is teaching a principle that David had taught about years before. Greatness in the kingdom is not an earthly measurement. Great people sometimes do not stack up in our estimation. And, it may have to do on how they have treated children. The seemed to be arising a few disputes from the disciples that Jesus continues to address.

Are they Against Us or For Us? 9:49-50

English Standard Version (Chapter 9)

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

Demonic possession and the healing of it was a pretty prominent issue for these men because they kept coming back to it. How many times have we criticized someone that we thought was a little less than us or doing something differently than us and we wished they would just stop doing it. Jesus is simply saying, if they are not doing something against you do not try to stop them because they are really on your side. They are for you even though they have different methods than you.

There is a distinct way to tell if some one is not traveling on the same path as you. We must pay attention to this in these last days. We can be diligent to the word and let them leave, and yet still be accepting of others:

Listen Little Children Listen

I John 2:18- 22

English Standard Version (Chapter 2)

18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son

Rules for acceptance/release of brethren in the New Testament are laid out by Jesus and His disciples:

1. They are doing works in the name of Jesus Christ. Let them continue. Let Jesus be your works inspector.

2. Those who leave us or go out from us are to be let go. It is plain some were not of us. Doesn’t always mean all of them are evil, but it does mean they or us could be, or we/they were impressed that there were some nefarious things going on in their/our actions and doctrine. If they leave, it will be plain to why they left. This is not being said because I may have someone in mind. I do not. It is because this is the teaching of Jesus and His apostles.

3. It is the last hour and you cannot take time to go after everyone who leaves. Focus your energies. v.19

4. Acknowledge your anointing from the Holy One for last days discernment. You know the truth. Follow the truth as you are led of the Lord and as you see it.

5. The rule of Scripture is:

What is their opinion of Jesus Christ? Is He God? Yes! Is He your Savior? He must be! Those who are seeking your acceptance must be able to clearly demonstrate an acceptance of Jesus as He is revealed in the Holy Scriptures. Their rejection of His person in any form is a rejection of the Father and the Son.

Jesus is the distinctive difference of all things for this life and that which is to come: on Earth as it is in Heaven. Jesus is all the world to me as the song says. “He is my life, my joy, my all. He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall.”

Let us not get caught up in rivalries that demand a greatest choice. Make your choice for Jesus and stand firmly there.