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Day 38 Luke 9:44-50 Luke 9:44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. 45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. 46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receives me: and whosoever shall receive me receives him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. 49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he follows not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. When you don’t understand something, you deflect away from it with other thoughts and ideas. The disciples didn’t understand what Jesus said to them concerning his death. Instead they talked about who would be greatest among them in his kingdom. Matthew 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (KJV) The Jewish people believed their Messiah would come to conquer their enemies. They did not expect he would die, but set up his kingdom. Therefore, the disciples argued about who would be greatest in his kingdom. Jesus showed them who would be greatest. As Christians, you want to be great too. You want people to know who you are and all the great things you do for God’s kingdom. It’s common nature to think and act that way. Yet, you can be so busy doing God’s work, you forget to put God in charge of the work and follow his lead in your life. You are not the head of the body. Jesus is. Jesus determines your status in his kingdom. Not you. As an example, Jesus set a child in their midst, and told them that anyone who accepted a child, accepted him. Why would Jesus set a child before them and tell them that accepting a child was accepting him? Psalm 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou might still the enemy and the avenger. The innocence of children can bring down all your thoughts of greatness, and lay them in the dust. Children say and do things that make the adult mind reel in wonder. Many years ago, Art Linkletter had a show featuring children. He asked them questions, and the answers they gave defied all logic. Yet those answers were profound. Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. (KJV) 1 Corinthians 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord. Jesus also told his disciples not to dissuade anyone who did the Father’s will, even though they didn’t belong to their group. Today there are many Christian denominations. All of them have one thing in common – they preach Christ crucified. You might not agree with their order of worship, or everything they believe. Yet, they too are doing the Father’s will, and preaching Christ crucified, raised and sitting on the right hand of the Father, and returning one day to take us to himself. They deserve the right hand of fellowship. Paul was given the right hand of fellowship. Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. (KJV) When you treat everyone, you meet with the same regard you want to be treated, and not disrespect them because they aren’t like you, then you will be one step closer to being great in God’s kingdom. Let’s pray: Father, you placed people in my life to teach me and show me your love. Help me accept them and learn from them. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 29 September 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay