The Greatness of Child-Like Faith

An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 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).

The disciples were too afraid to ask Jesus about His warning that “the Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men” (Luke 9:44). But they were not afraid to argue about “which of them was the greatest”. No doubt they were comparing the miracles they had performed on their recent missions into the villages of Galilee… “He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases… and they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:1; 6). To readjust their focus and reposition their hearts (in other words, to humble them) Jesus placed a child by His side and He taught them about the greatness of child-like faith.

Jesus placed the child close to His side. He exhorts disciples in every age to imitate the willingness of this young child to be removed from the comfort of his family and friends and to be placed close by the side of Jesus. He wants us to be His children… “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him” (1 John 3:1). Jesus wants us to move away from the world and stay close to Him that we might become more like Him… “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Being born again and growing as a child of God requires child-like faith… “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). Like children, born again disciples long for and enjoy deepening intimacy with Jesus Christ.

Jesus told the disciples to receive the child in His name. Children are gifts to be received and treasured as reflections of our Father… “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3). He exhorts disciples in every age to see ourselves as children created in the image and for the glory of God. Children who grow up into Christ will discover the unique purpose and plan God has for their lives… “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). To discover and pursue God’s life plan we all must be born again and become like children, forsaking our own life plan in order to discover and discover and enjoy the special life God created for us… “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Like children, serious disciples are always learning to live for Christ.

Jesus used the child to redefine greatness. Children were not a high priority in the culture of Jesus’ day. The disciples considered the approach of children to be a distraction to the ministry of their Master… “They were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them” (Mark 10:13). But Jesus turned the tables and established a high priority for children in His kingdom and in the Church… “But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God’” (Mark 10:14). He went on to teach that understanding and experiencing kingdom greatness is a product of child-like faith… “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (Mark 10:15). Like children, maturing disciples expect to do great things because we have growing faith as we get to know Jesus better.

As we grow up into Christ we’re never too old to discover and experience…

The Greatness of Child-Like Faith.

The Paradox that was Concealed

But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying (Luke 9:43b-45).

The crowd saw Him confront and confound legions of demons, heal every disease brought to him, and raise a young girl from the dead. The disciples saw Him calm a raging storm, feed thousands with a few loaves and fishes, and be transfigured and confirmed by the voice of God from Heaven. They all marveled at what they saw.  But Jesus told His disciples they hadn’t seen anything yet. The most profound and perplexing events were still to come and they would be the paradox that was concealed.

This paradox was predetermined. Son of Man is a name assigned to the prophet Ezekiel dozens of times and describes him as a prophet given to judge man according to the Word of God. The miracles of Jesus confirmed that He was the ultimate Son of Man sent by God and promised by the Old Testament prophet Daniel… “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14). Jesus identified Himself as the Son of Man who will return to earth again as the judge of those who reject His gospel… “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27). But first, the Son of Man would surrender to the authorities of man to lay down His life as atonement for sin… “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Believing that their miracle working and God-confirmed Master would be delivered into the hands of mere men was for now, beyond the grasp of the disciples.

This paradox was voluntary. This was Jesus’ third attempt to warn His disciples of His coming suffering. It shows His compassion and concern for them, and it also reveals the important truth He was in control of this situation. He was not at the mercy of human authorities. He was about to willingly surrender to them… “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (John 10:17-18). Ultimately, Jesus was surrendering to His Father’s will… “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). Understanding the kind of love that would compel Jesus to lay down His life was for now, beyond the grasp of His disciples.

This paradox was concealed. The implications of Jesus’ words were concealed. On first glance we might assume it was Jesus Himself that kept His meaning from them, but the very presence of the Word of God on earth and in the flesh was to reveal the glory, grace, and truth of God to mankind… “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Jesus told the disciples to “let these words sink into your ears” but His words did not find a home in their hearts because they were filled with fear. The Spirit inspired Luke to note that the disciples’ fear kept them from asking Jesus about this saying. After His death and resurrection, Christ would give all true disciples victory over fear through the Holy Spirit so that we might fully grasp all of the truth of God’s Word… “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). But before their fulfillment, the meaning of Jesus’ words about His suffering was beyond the grasp of His disciples.

As we grow up into Christ we are thankful for the understanding His Spirit gives us about…

The Paradox that was Concealed.

The Faith that Reveals the Majesty of God

On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astonished at the majesty of God (Luke 9:37-43).

There is a hard saying here. Jesus criticized the faith of the whole generation that had the blessing of the presence of the incarnate Word of God in their world… “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). He wondered aloud how long He would have to be with them. But with a word of rebuke Jesus delivered and healed the demon possessed boy and restored him to his father. He also demonstrated here that He will stay with us no matter how long it takes and He’ll do whatever it takes to instill in us the faith that reveals the majesty of God.

God’s majesty is revealed by faith in the presence of Christ. We can take all of our trials and crises to lots of different places for help. We are quick to go to the doctor, the counselor, and sometimes the church in our times of need. But this is twisted faith. It is faith placed in the wrong place. The Son of God took on flesh to compel us to come to Him. Effective Christian pastors, teachers, and counselors should direct our hearts toward Jesus when we need help because the purpose of everything in life, including life’s trials is to help us to know Jesus Christ better… “This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). In fact, the trials we face are often intended to reveal the Glory of God… “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4). Seeking the presence of Christ in the midst of our trials produces faith that reveals the majesty of God as He reveals Jesus more clearly to us.

God’s majesty is revealed by faith in the power of Christ. The father and the disciples were not without faith. Their faith was misplaced. Both the father and the disciples had come to trust the power that was being revealed in their public ministry. Such misplaced faith let them down because Christ is the only source of the power and wisdom of God… “We preach Christ crucified… Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). In fact, trials are wonderful opportunities for the revelation of the power Christ in our lives… “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3). Trusting the power of Christ produces faith that reveals the majesty of God when He answers our prayer.

God’s majesty is revealed by faith in the persistence of Christ. Jesus could have punctuated His declaration by leaving the scene. He could have returned to His Father with a report about the faithlessness of the generation that rejected Him. But Jesus remained fully engaged with the needy people He came to serve. We often forsake Him when our requests go unanswered, but He will never leave or forsake us… “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). In fact, it may well be in the waiting that we get to know Christ better as He sharpens and matures our faith… “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7). Trusting the persistence of Christ produces faith that reveals the majesty of God as it glorifies Christ.

As we grow up into Christ we reflect His glory in the world as we grow in…

The Faith that Reveals the Majesty of God.