MONDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2023
TEXT:
Luke 9:37-50
37:
The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.
38:
A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is
my only child.
39:
A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so
that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him.
40:
I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”
41:
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I
stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”
42:
Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a
convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him
back to his father.
43:
And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling
at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples,
44:
“Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be
delivered into the hands of men.”
45:
But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that
they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
46:
An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the
greatest.
47:
Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside
him.
48:
Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes
me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who
is least among you all who is the greatest.”
49:
“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we
tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”
50:
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”
MATT. 18:3, 4
3:
And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little
children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4:
Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven.
(New
International Version Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
SERVING OTHERS WITH HUMILITY ATTRACTS DIVINE UPLIFTMENT
In
today's reading, it appears the disciples were concerned about who leads the
team after Jesus departs. They were given the power and authority to preach and
heal and they had great success. But why couldn't they sustain that grace when
confronted by a demon possessed boy?
So,
Jesus said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with
you, and suffer you?" He told them what was going to happen to Him but
they couldn't understand because they were preoccupied with matters of
leadership and sectionalism.
The
lesson of the little boy was meant to make them understand that humility in
serving others and simple obedience to God's word attract divine upliftment
into leadership positions (see also Matt. 18:3, 4).
The
grace to perform miracles while serving the Lord is not confined to a
denomination. The way to greatness is always through humble service.
QUESTION:
Do you seek to lead rather than serve others wherever you find yourself?
PRAYER:
Grant me, Oh Lord, the joy to serve others with humility, in Jesus name. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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