Luke 9: 43-50 The Greatest, Part I

Luke 9: 43-50 The Greatest, Part I

And all were astonished by the majesty of God. While they were all amazed at his every deed, he said to his disciples, "Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men." But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest." Then John said in reply, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company." Jesus said to him, "Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you."

These few verses round out a tempestuous few days. Jesus’ mind is very much on his coming Passion. He predicts for a second time that he must be given over to men. His disciples failed to understand, and in fact they are filled with uneasiness. Instead of being present to Jesus in his time of need, some prefer to daydream about who among them is the greatest. Jesus knows what they are thinking. He responds by making two statements. First he says “whoever welcomes a child on my account welcomes not only me, but he who sent me." I read and reread this passage. How is it a response to self-involvement and ambition? Perhaps it is revolutionary because of the traditional place of children in society at that time. There are few mentions of children in the Gospel unless they are involved in cures. Although this would indicate that they are well loved by their parents, they are little seen and never heard from. And yet Jesus asks his disciples to welcome this least seen and heard from group for his sake. Doing this may cause puzzlement to those around him, even derision, but treating the smallest, weakest among us is another way Jesus sets himself and his mission apart. He finishes this by saying that the "least among you is the greatest".