Observation: As the disciples are debating which of them is the greatest (a quality that it would seem they are not defining correctly), Jesus presents the powerful metaphor of welcoming a child. Effectively, he says that greatness is the quality of being kind, gentle, good, and welcoming toward the weakest of people. It has nothing to do with any major act and grand gesture. To put it another way ... the "greatest" disciple is the one who shows the most love toward the "least of you".
Application: I have SO much to say on this explicitly about one person - one Christian - who is so great in her arrogance that she declares herself "greater" than even pastors in knowledge and works ... despite all evidence in her life and behaviors to the contrary. Instead of going into details that infuriate me, I will instead simply think about this.
The greatest issue this person exhibits - and therefore that I would want to avoid myself - is that nothing she puts into practice in her "Christian walk" in any way serves the "little children" among us, when "child" is defined and Jesus intended in this metaphor ... in spiritual terms.
We have so many lost souls all around us, and I just wish more Christians would just find ways to be kind to unbelievers. We don't need to agree with them, but we can just ... welcome ... them with a smile and kindness.
I am not perfect at this, but my heart is growing and moving toward it. I sincerely hope that, as my years progress, I get better and better at seeing such people for who they are - spiritual children - and welcoming the least of these with kindness, gentleness, and goodness.
Prayer: Lord, may I have a soft heart, this day and every day, toward the spiritual children who cross my path. May I welcome them in your name, with kindness and love, that reflects your love for them. Amen.
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