Wed.’s Devo - Pride vs. Humility

Read Luke 9:46-50 Just after Jesus tells his disciples to let his sayings sink down into their heart they start wondering who among them will be the leader or the elder. He told them that he was going to be delivered into the hands of men so who is going to take his place here on earth. It doesn’t tell us that they talked about it but more like it was a wave of thought that came to all of them at the same time. Jesus perceived this hook of the devil’s and gave them an object lesson. He took a child and set him beside Jesus. Then he said, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me: and whoever receives me receives him that sent me: for he that is the least among you all, the same shall be great. So while they are wondering if they will be the next elder, he is using the youngest to show that leadership and position has nothing to do with age or worth, but heart. The devil is the epitome of pride and Jesus is the epitome of humility. Jesus is trying to get that into the hearts of his disciples. Then he gets another way to show them. John tells Jesus that he saw someone casting out devils in Jesus’ name and they told him he had to quit doing that because he wasn’t following Jesus like they were. Jesus rebuked them and told them that if he is not against us then he is on our side. Once again he kills the issue which is pride. They think that they are elite because they are walking with Jesus everyday and that anyone else is subordinate. It reminds me of Elijah’s complaint to God that he was the only prophet. God enlightened Elijah with the understanding that he had 300 prophets hidden to be used when he needed them. It is God’s will that is going to be done: with or without us. Lord, we want to be a part of what you are doing. Remind us that there are many other people doing what we are doing just in different ways and it all magnifies you. Let that be our goal. May You be Glorified!