City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

⁴⁶ An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. ⁴⁷ But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side ⁴⁸ and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

-Luke 9:46-48 ESV

¹ At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them ³ and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

⁵ “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me

–Matthew 18:3-5 ESV

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s verses depict Jesus’ response to the disciples’ bickering as to which one of them was the greatest: Jesus presents them with a child as an example of greatness in the kingdom of heaven. Why a child? 

Children are uniquely resilient. They can bounce back quickly from adversity and adapt to all kinds of situations. They don’t tend to have any preconceived notions or their own opinions. They naturally seem to exhibit a sense of openness and can easily accept and absorb what they perceive as truth. They are like wet cement that’s easily impressionable. That’s what we need to be like with God. What would our lives look like if we read His Word with fresh eyes and accept it as a child would? 

Additionally, children have an unwavering devotion to their caretakers. No matter what comes their way, they are totally at ease so long as they know their mother and father are right there with them. They have a level of commitment and trust that supersedes every circumstance. The dependence of a child on his caretaker forms a relationship based on love, trust, and obedience. This is a beautiful example of our relationship with God, and it shows us that we can’t enjoy the promises of God without a relationship with Him. 

Our connection with God is our safe haven, a place where we can draw strength and nourishment, a place that equips us to face every life situation with boldness and confidence because we know who we are and we know Whose we are. 

This kind of devotion doesn’t just pop out of nowhere. It’s birthed out of an intimate Father-child relationship that endures through every season. If you want your roots to grow down deep and sky-rocket in the spirit, you must have an encounter with God’s unfailing love: 

¹⁷ May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, ¹⁸ That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]

-(Ephesians 3:17-18 AMP).

It takes the power of God to believe we are unconditionally loved by Him and to receive Him as our Father. We need the Holy Spirit to empower us to experience the love of God. Knowing we are loved by our Father in Heaven just as a child knows he is loved by his parents is what characterizes greatness in the Kingdom of God and transcends every condition, circumstance, achievement, suffering or anything that happens on this side of Heaven. 

Application

The disciples wanted to prove their “greatness” by arguing it out, not realizing that their true greatness came from their connection to Christ. Are you struggling to attain something that you have freely been given as an inheritance from Christ? 

If so, stop striving and take comfort in knowing that the greatness you hope for is not achieved by what you do or don’t do for God, but rather it is received as a free gift when you believe that what Christ has done for you is enough. Rest in that truth and let it propel you forward in faith to whatever God is calling you to now. 

Prayer

Father God, I admit I strive for greatness in my own strength–apart from You. Help me to realize that true greatness is found in trusting and obeying You–whatever the cost. Help me to walk humbly as a child and imitate Christ in all I do. In Jesus’ name, amen.