Title: Teachings of Jesus/Luke 9:43-50
Content: Teachings of Jesus/Luke 9:43-50
Key Verse: “He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
Following the prophecy of the first death in Luke 9:22, Jesus here once again speaks of the death He will experience. But even here, the disciples did not fully understand the meaning. Because there was no effort to escape, they could not understand, and they might not even have tried to understand. Towards this appearance, the author Luke expresses, “It was hidden from us from understanding” (verse 45).
And their ignorance confuses us who read the Bible, intertwined with their genuine interest in the next succession. It is the interest that gripped them in the context of Jesus talking about his 'death', or crucifixion. There are two facts: 'who is the biggest among them' and 'consciousness of privilege'. These two things are the best interests that exist wherever humans gather regardless of time and place.
However, rather than being displeased with the ‘selfish’ appearance of these disciples, Jesus gives valuable lessons to them. He answers the first question, ‘who is the greatest among them?
'Politics' exists wherever people gather. And at the core of 'politics', I am interested in the question of who is the 'boss' with real influence. It has to do with our preconceived notion of 'no good or not'. Seeing these issues, Jesus said, "No one is particularly important" through a child who was considered incompetent at the time and could not be compared with his disciples. .It is to teach the disciples that 'everyone is important (in the sight of God and in the kingdom of God)' from 'who is the greatest' in their interest.
Toward the second problem, 'privilege consciousness', he is making it clear that 'no one has a monopoly on the ministry'. The disciples believe that they belong to a privileged class than others because they are with Jesus and by Jesus' side. This sense of privilege was even developing into a 'monopoly consciousness' that only they had a monopoly on the expansion work of the kingdom of God. To this thought, Jesus said, “He who is not against you is for you” (50). verse), he is pointing out the 'privilege consciousness' that does not exist and cannot exist in the kingdom of God.
In the world, 'who is the greatest' and 'who monopolizes' is discussed. Even if we live in such a world, as disciples of the Lord and people of the kingdom of God, we have the attitude that 'everyone is equally important' and 'faithfully serve the Lord.' It is important to live with the mindset that everyone you serve should be praised.
Prayer: May you live one day holding on to the word of God, 'Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God, which is good, pleasing, and perfect' (Romans 12:2). Please, I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Lord's Prayer