Pastor Scott Andrews | April 13, 2025
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Luke 9:43b-48
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first full-length animated film produced by Walt Disney. No, this is not an opportunity to bash the recent remake, although all the drama around it makes it tempting – but it does remind us of the unsurpassed original. Released in 1937, it was adapted from the Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, not to be confused with the Brothers Gibb, otherwise, Snow White would have been singing, “Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah Staying Alive” as she ran from the wicked queen. The tale is the story of Snow White who hides out in the woods with the Seven Dwarfs to escape the evil Queen.
As you may remember, the story begins with the evil queen approaching her magic mirror every day to ask the question we all actually ask, “mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest one of all?” Everything’s fine, as long as the mirror replies, “Why you are, of course,” fulfilling the queen’s insatiable vanity. But one day, something changed. Snow White had grown up, and the queen was no longer the fairest, giving rise to a plot of attempted murder, escape, rescue of seven dwarfs, a poisoned apple, Prince Charming, and happily ever after.
Of course, the truth is all too often there is no such thing as happily ever after. Why? Because the problem of the queen is inherent in all of us. We want to know, who is the fairest of them all? Who’s the strongest, the fastest, the best-looking, indeed, who is the greatest? And of course, it’s me – and therefore, I deserve all the accolades, all the focus.
We’ve even coined the phrase in sports – the GOAT – the greatest of all time. Just this week, Alexander Ovechkin broke hockey great Wayne Gretsky’s record with goal number 895. Whether it’s the ESPYs or the Oscars, we’re all obsessed with, “who is the greatest, the prettiest, the sexiest on the proverbial or actual red carpet?” Who’s on top – who’s the best. By the way, just this week, we received notice that Alliance Bible Fellowship received once again the Best of the Best for best church in Watauga County. Are we the best? That is, are we really in competition with other churches, like, who makes the best burger in town?
The truth is, we all struggle with the question. And behind that question is the real issue – we are performers to be applauded. We want to know, how am I doing compared to everyone else? How’s my performance as a worker, a student, a father, a husband, a mother, a wife – how do I stack up with my peers? Who’s the fairest, the greatest of them all?
Turn in your Bibles to Luke 9. We’re going to find today Jesus has some strong things to say about the question and the attitude behind it. Let’s read the text – Luke 9:43b-48.
Even the disciples struggled with the problem, who’s the greatest? How am I doing compared to Peter, James, John? You see, the disciples were an awful lot like us – they were performers, strivers, with their eyes on me, competing with everyone else. Not only that, they were keeping track of everyone else – and they each thought themselves doing quite well, by their own scorekeeping methods. It’s called pride. It was, after all, the ultimate problem that plunged humanity into sin in the garden – you can be like God.
Incredibly, later, the week before His crucifixion, the mother of James and John will approach Jesus and say, “How about it Lord, why don’t you let my sons sit next to you in the kingdom – one on your left, one on your right? They’re pretty great boys, don’t you think?” The other disciples, when they heard about it, got angry. Why? Because they could hardly believe the insensitivity of James and John, who no doubt put their mother up the task. How can you ask such a thing right before He dies – right before He bears the sins of the world on His shoulders.
That’s not it at all – they’re angry because they were gunning for the seats. They had their eyes on number one – they each thought themselves worthy of the honor. Who’s the greatest – that’s what mattered. Don’t miss, this discussion comes on the heels of Jesus’ prediction of His humiliation. I will be delivered into the hands of men, because, I came not to be served, but to serve, and give My life a ransom. And the disciples were worried about who’s the greatest. A jarring distinction between Jesus’ humility and the disciples’ pride – a desire for recognition. Jesus speaks of giving His life; they speak of gaining theirs through status, privilege, position.
This is the second of three specific passion predictions Jesus gives. He’s going to Jerusalem where He will be handed over, killed, but raised again. And each of the three predictions is followed by some failure on the part of the disciples – usually as they had their eyes on themselves – some act of self-interest. In the first one earlier in this very chapter, after Peter got it right – You’re the Christ of God, Jesus gave His first passion prediction. Peter pulled Jesus aside to rebuke Him. Not so, Lord, not while I’m alive. To which Jesus responded – don’t miss it – get behind Me, Satan, you have your eyes on man’s interests – yours, not God’s. How so? Peter thought they were on their way to Jerusalem to set up the kingdom, in which he would no doubt play a big part.
The second passion prediction is this one, followed by the disciples arguing about who was greatest. Stop and think about that. The disciples had just come through some significant failures. First, up on the mountain, Peter said, it’s great to be here – let’s build three tents – one for You, one for Moses, one for Elijah. That was too much for the Father who said, “This is My Son, My Chosen One, listen to Him!” In other words, be quiet Peter, and listen to My Son.
Then, when they get back to the other nine disciples, they find they’d been unable to cast out a demon. They’d failed miserably. Jesus is frustrated with them, “How long shall I be with you and put up with you?” Now, they’re about to travel through Galilee on their way to Jerusalem. In fact, in verse 51, we will reach a critical turning point in this gospel: Jesus will determine, will set His face toward Jerusalem, knowing what awaited Him there. It would be His ultimate condescension.
But right before that, in our text, Jesus gives the second passion prediction. Do they get it? No – they don’t understand, and they’re too scared to ask about it. It seems to have been divinely hidden from them – likely because they weren’t quite ready to hear the gospel – they were still expecting the kingdom in its fullness. I’m on My way to Jerusalem where I will be delivered into the hands of men. Next verse, an argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest – don’t miss it – in the presence of the greatest. In Mark, Jesus asked them, “What were you discussing along the way?” They were silent – an indictment of their self-absorbed argument. The point is, these guys suffered from narcissism – an unwarranted self-focus. Pride. Well, let me give you the outline of the text before I preach my entire sermon. We’re going to see:
I. The Coming Passion (43b-45)
II. The Disciples’ View of Greatness (46)
III. [contrasted with] Jesus’ View of Greatness (47-48)
Let’s begin by looking briefly at this second passion prediction. By the way – it was after the third passion prediction that James and John approach Jesus about their seats in the kingdom. It’s interesting Jesus gives this prediction right after the transfiguration when the big three saw His glory. Right after the crowd was amazed at His greatness/majesty by driving out a demon. And so, while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, Jesus said to His disciples, in essence, don’t be distracted. Let Me remind you of why I came. How easy it is to be distracted from the gospel. So let these words sink into your ears – a Semitic colloquialism. Listen up, hear it well. All this you’ve seen – the miracles – simply point to who I am and is temporary. What I’m going to do is of eternal consequence. Don’t be distracted.
It’s the shortest prediction of the three – I’ll be delivered. Mark adds a little more – The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men, they will kill Him, but He will rise three days later. Now, while Luke is brief, there are a couple of things to notice. First, the phrase is a play on words, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” The Son of Man will be delivered, and the implication is killed by men – the very ones He came to save. They won’t understand what they are doing, but I came to die for sinners.
Second, He will be delivered into the hands of men. He will be handed over, not by men, but into the hands of men. Most agree this is a divine passive – God is the one delivering Jesus – it was the plan of the Father carried out by the Son. It was the Father who handed over His own Son. Romans 8 says, He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things. The Son of God was handed over by God, to be killed for men, and for their salvation. (This week is passion week. One week from today, we will gather to celebrate the resurrection. We go from mountain top to mountain top – triumphal entry to resurrection, but don’t miss the deep, dark valley in between that caused Jesus to pray, Father, if it’s possible, let this cup pass from Me. Nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done. It was the Father’s will to bruise His Son, to hand Him over.)
After this second passion prediction, the disciples still didn’t get it – they didn’t understand, although I’m not sure He could have made it any plainer. The gospels make a case for the slowness of the disciples. Seems like cased closed. They didn’t get it, but they were too afraid to ask. Somehow, even they knew they should understand and accept what He said.
Which brings us to our second point. Jesus is talking about His coming death – they’re talking about their greatness – which one of them is the greatest. So, Jesus talks to them about true greatness in the kingdom. Remember, Jesus has changed His focus from the crowds to the disciples – teaching what true discipleship is. And it’s quite different from the world’s pursuits. Listen, living like this will never get you on Forbes 100 most influential list or the best of the best or you’ll likely never be the GOAT – at least, in the world’s eyes. Which is the problem – for whom are we pursuing greatness? Who are we serving?
Mark says they got to a house in Capernaum – likely Peter’s, where they’d stayed quite often. Jesus, either hearing them argue or knowing their thoughts, asked them what they had been talking about along the way. From shame or embarrassment, they were silent for a moment. You can see their furtive glances – perhaps looking for Peter to say something – he always does.
However, this time, Jesus fills the silence. Now, think for a moment, you can imagine how the argument must have unfolded. No doubt, everyone thought Peter might be the favorite. He probably reminded them of some things as he claimed his own preeminence. After all, I was one of the three who got to go to the mountaintop for the Transfiguration. I walked on water – remember that? Whenever Jesus talks about us, He always puts me at the top of the list. Remember Caesarea Philippi – I got it right – You are the Christ. Remember what Jesus said? Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you Peter, but my Father in heaven. God talks through me, does He talk through you? Clearly, I’m the greatest.
No doubt at this point, some chimed in. Yeah, you walked on water, but you almost drowned, so that’s kind of a wash. Sure, you were at the mountaintop, but God yelled at you. And right after God spoke through you, so did Satan –“Get behind me, Satan.” Certainly number one is still up for grabs – don’t you think? And, if greatness is based on performance, it certainly was.
So they argued about it. They all had different opinions; they all had different ways to grade. Maybe it was John, who no doubt said. “I was on the mountain, too. And I’m the beloved disciple.” No, it’s not John, he’s too mushy. It’s James, the strong one. He probably argued his brazen character and bold commitment to the Lord earned him the top spot. James had passion. Yeah, someone pointed out, but you’re always angry – you’re calling fire down from heaven to burn people up, you son of thunder.
You see, it depends on your grading system. Some thought Andrew was the greatest – it’s not those upfront guys like Peter and John – it’s the behind the scenes guys who get the real work done. It’s the Andrews of the world who are the greatest – and I’m personally sure they’re right. Rest assured the reminder of the group had their own self-preoccupied, prideful, selfish, self-aggrandizing arguments. When compared to everyone else, it ought to be obvious, I’m the greatest.
Now remember, this whole argument was in the context of Christ followers – the future church – the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Been with us ever since. Corinth had the problem – I follow Paul, I follow Peter, I follow Apollos, but I follow Christ. Do we ever do that? You better believe we do. Who’s the greatest Christian? What’s your definition of greatness? What’s your grading system? If your grading system is numbers or success or influence or status or power or prestige, then it’s the biggest churches, the most books published, the most Dove Awards. Who’s the greatest, the most well-known, who has the most influence? But is that kingdom greatness? Who’s the greatest, better, who’s great in this room? It’s probably not who you think.
Understand, the Jews had an entire grading system. The rabbis often wrote about it. They even thought they’d figured out who got to sit closest to God in the kingdom – ahead of the angels. You see, that’s why James and John were fighting for the seats. But here, Jesus is suggesting when we get to heaven, the seating chart may be different than we think. Clearly I’ll set at Jesus’ table, or close to it, as the marriage supper of the Lamb. Or maybe you’ll just be lucky to be there – maybe we all will.
You see, I have a feeling, when the disciples had this argument, they weren’t saying things like, “I’m the greatest because I’m the most needy. I’m the greatest sinner. God’s grace is most evident in my life. I’m the greatest simply because I’m not the greatest. I’m the greatest because I serve. I’m the greatest because I’m the least.” For them, it was who’s the greatest – who gets to sit next to Jesus? Who will have the place of honor? Who will be served?
Which brings us to our third point as Jesus gives the true definition of greatness. He starts with an object lesson. He took a child to Himself and stood him by His side. Mark says He gathered the child in His arms. The disciples had hardly even noticed the kid. This was the most unlikely picture of greatness anyone had. We’re talking about greatness, Jesus, what’s the deal with the kid? Get the picture – a little child surrounded by 12 grown men. In what possible way was the child great, certainly compared to them? Jesus, with firmness in His voice and steel in His eyes says, all the ingredients necessary for greatness in my kingdom are in this child.
Know that at this time in history, children were totally insignificant – they had no status, no rank, no privileges – to say they were overlooked would be an understatement. They were to be looked after, not looked up to. And the word here is little child – we should probably think of a toddler. Jesus calls him, he toddles over, barely able to walk, and Jesus gathers him up in His arms and sets him before them. Again, children had no status. The Talmud suggested to talk to them, spend time with them, was a waste of time. Children under 12 could not be taught the Torah. One rabbi actually said to chatter with a child would destroy a man.
So after a moment or two, the clamoring dies down – all eyes fixed on Jesus, and He says some things that would have totally shocked them, and I believe needs to shock us this morning. First, He says, this is greatness. In Matthew He said, “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
They were speechless – even the kid was looking around saying, this is greatness? Jesus says, if you want to be great in my kingdom, you have to be like a little child. Remember, through His entire ministry, Jesus has been switching the price tags of life. Everything we’ve thought valuable, that we pine after, that we’ve fought for all of our lives – Jesus says, they’re of no value, they’re worthless. Greatness in God’s economy is not found in privilege or position; it’s found in being least – in serving. Think of what He said earlier: deny yourself, take up your cross, follow Me. If you want to live, you must die. If you want to save your life, you must lose it. If you want to be first, you must be last. If you want to be great, you must serve.
Listen to what He’s saying in terms of this no-count, insignificant little kid – there is no value in strength, there is no value is status, there is no value in performance, there is no value in wealth, there is no value in stuff, there is no value in prestige or anything else the world wants to honor as great. You want to be great in My kingdom? Then you’ve got to let go of all your comparisons, all your self-focused attempts to make yourself look great, all your performance. Greatness in the kingdom does not come from what you do – it comes from who you are.
What was it about this child, any child, that made Jesus point to him? It wasn’t his behavior – obviously – anyone who’s ever had a toddler knows that. It wasn’t necessarily a child-like faith, although we hear that a lot. What was it? It was his humility and lack of concern for social status – he wasn’t concerned about greatness. It was a recognition of his total dependence. Without others to take care of him, he would die – that’s the point. Dependence makes you humble. When you’re totally dependent on someone else for life, it breeds humility. Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
And then He makes this incredible statement, “the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” Notice, He doesn’t say the greatest, He simply says great. You can all be great in the kingdom. This would have been shocking. No one then, and now, sees greatness in being last, in being a servant, as Mark says. No, greatness is in being first and being served. Understand what Jesus is doing – the true definition of greatness is found not in being served, but being a servant.
A child is a picture of dependency which produces humility. You see, true brokenness and true self-awareness produces humility. Said another way: true believers are humble. Humility is defined not as thinking lowly of yourself, it is not thinking of yourself at all. And that is the picture of greatness. Notice, we don’t know the child’s name, we don’t know the age – we don’t really know anything about him – that’s the point – it isn’t about us – it’s about Christ and His kingdom.
A nondescript child. Have you ever felt like that in the midst of the kingdom? In the midst of a bunch of disciples who seemingly walk on water – right by the Peters, James and Johns of the world? I have good news for you – greatness does not come in the great things you do – in your abilities, in your performance. It comes through humility. In that sense, the thief on the cross is as great as Billy Graham, and so are you. I can’t wait to get to heaven to see who’s sitting next to Jesus. I suspect it’s not going to be who we expect. You’re striving, you’re pushing, you’re jumping up and down trying to be recognized, and Jesus is going to pluck someone from the back of the crowd, eyes cast downward, unwilling even to look up, and sit him or her right next to Him. Because greatness is in humility. Being last. Being dependent.
Humbling ourselves is tough. We spend our whole lives covering up our weaknesses, our inadequacies, our faults. We work hard at being independent, performing so we can be proud. We may not argue with one another about who’s greatest, but it’s what keeps us up at night. How am I doing – how’s my performance? We try to cover shortcomings with power and status and position. Most of us don’t like this idea of having to be insignificant, unimportant.
Maybe that’s how you’ve felt for a long time. You’ve felt pretty unimportant in the kingdom – the only thing you really have is Jesus – no recognition, no status, no power. I have some good news for you. It is those kinds of people who are great in the eyes of Christ. It’s that kind of person for whom Jesus looks. Later, Jesus will say these words, “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
For some of us this morning the problem isn’t our inadequacies, it’s our strengths. Some of you need to be humbled. You need to humble yourselves before your children, before whom you’ve been powerful and strong, in control and in charge – but you’ve never been humble before them. Some of you need to humble yourselves before your spouses – husband, wife – you’ve been waiting for him to change, you’ve been waiting for her to change – and the Word of God speaks to you today and says, unless you turn, unless you change, unless you humble yourself like a little child, you’ll never restore your marriage. Some of you are sitting there thinking, I hope my spouse is listening – and by those thoughts, you betray that just don’t get it.
Who is it? Roommates, parents, coworkers – other people in your lives who have seen your wisdom, your power, your wealth, your status – but they’ve never seen you broken – they’ve never seen you humble. I don’t know what the Spirit of God wants to do in your life today, but I’m trusting that some of you will altogether change your way of thinking. Stop striving to exalt yourself. Don’t strive to be great in your eyes – strive to be great in His – through dependent, broken humility.
Jesus gathers this little child in His arms, stands him next to Him and says, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” You see – not only do we need to change the way we look at ourselves and our false pursuits and definitions of greatness – we need to change the way we look at others. Again, children at this time were overlooked – insignificant – unimportant. Jesus’ point is not that we all work in children’s ministry – although that’s not a bad idea. Jesus’ point is we start looking at others – receiving others – despite how the world grades them. If they are brothers and sisters in Christ, we receive them in Jesus’ name, thereby receiving Jesus, in fact, receiving the One who sent Jesus.
Matthew 25 is an oft misquoted text. Jesus talks about separating the sheep from the goats. His sheep are the ones who cared for the least of these. But don’t forget the words, the least of these my brothers. The slogan might make for a great mission organization statement, caring for the least of these – but in its context – it is caring from the least of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
See, here’s the point. Who do we serve? Those who make us feel good about serving? Those who can either give us something back, or make us feel important by serving them? Jesus says, look for the least in the kingdom – look for little children – look for those who can give you nothing back – humbly serve them. That is greatness.