Read

Luke 9:48 “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

Think

Muhammad Ali declared, “It’s hard to be humble when you’re as great as I am … I’m not the greatest; I’m the double greatest.”

Do you ever think more highly of yourself than you should? Does your head ever puff with pride when you consider your accomplishments? Like Ali in his glory days of boxing, do you ever think of yourself as so great that it’s hard to be humble? If so, then in today’s reading, Jesus does it again! He turns our natural bent toward wanting to be the greatest upside down and inside out! And, he might just have a few words for you!

Jesus’ disciples were arguing over which one of them was the greatest. When Jesus heard this, he taught them that genuine greatness is only achieved through humility. He declared that the one who is considered the least of humanity is, in fact, the greatest. To illustrate his lesson, he showed tender-loving care to those who were the most vulnerable — little, innocent children.

Here’s what we need to understand: humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less. It’s putting aside your natural self-centeredness and putting the needs of someone else first.

Humility is a mark of maturity, and Jesus is the perfect example of this. He thought more of us and less of himself as he died a gruesome and painful death on the cross for our sins.

Apply

Who around you is in need? Who can you serve, even though no one expects it from you – a co-worker, a family member, a total stranger? How can you “be great” by humbling yourself and extending Christ’s love to others?

Pray

Father, help me to have true humility and self-awareness in understanding my great need for you. Guide me to show great love and care to all people, especially those whom society considers less valuable. In Jesus’ name, Amen.