Cultivate the Spirit of the Lesser One

"He that conducts himself as a lesser one among all of you is the one that is great." -LUKE 9:48.

THE year was 32 C.E. Jesus was in the district of Galilee when difficulties arose.  A few of his apostles were arguing about who was the greatest among them.  The gospel writer Luke reports: "A reasoning entered among them as to who would be the greatest of them.  Jesus, knowing he reasoning of their hearts, took a young child, set it beside him and said to them:  'Whoever receives the young child on the basis of my name receives me too, and whoever receives me receives him also that sent me forth.  For he that conducts himself as  a lesser one among all of you is the one that is great."  (Luke 9:46-48) Patiently but firmly, Jesus helped the apostles to see the need for humility. 

Was Jesus' admonition to behave as a lesser one in accord with the values of the first-century Jews? Or was it the opposite of their general spirit? Commenting on the social conditions of that time, the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament explains: "In every affair, the question constantly arose who was the greater, and according to each hid due honor was an important matter which caused constant concern."  Jesus was admonishing his apostles to be different from people in general.

The Greek word translated "lesser one" means someone who is modest, humble, lowly, insignificant, or of little esteem and influence. Jesus used a young child to make clear his to his apostles that they should be humble and modest. That admonition is as applicable to true Christians today as it was in the first century. We may find it challenging to conduct ourselves as lesser ones-at least in some circumstances.  The human tendency toward pride  may motivate us to see prominence. The competitive environment in which we live and the spirit of the world might influence us to be egoistical, combative, or manipulative. What can help us to cultivate the spirit of a lesser one?  How is 'a lesser one among us that is great? In what areas of life should we strive to manifest the spirit of humility?



Next time: Cultivate the Spirit of a Lesser One - "O THE DEPTH OF GOD'S RICHES AND WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE"

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