Who is The Greatest Among You. Part [7] 08/22/2025 (Morning thought)

Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

When the news of what they had done came to the attention of the other ten disciples, it sparked bitter feelings of resentment, and deep animosity among them in so much that it threatened to shatter unity, and peace, which Jesus sought to establish within His own inner circle. Judas in particular was incensed at the brazenness and bold-facedness of the request made by James and John, that they should have the gall to take it upon themselves by asking for the highest place in the kingdom, and worst yet, to do so secretly.

This then triggered a race to the top, because, even though James and John had harbored the desire of being first and greatest in the kingdom, the other 10 disciples also were cherishing the same sentiments, and now, the question spilled out into the open, as they vied and jostled for the highest place. Of course, as it always will be with those who crave worldly greatness, the elimination process begins, for each one estimates himself as being superior or more worthy than the other.

And so they begin to check off each other, one by one, as in the game of survivor. And, in this frame of mind, they would be in danger of doing whatsoever it takes, to push their fellows down while lifting up themselves, for whenever it is the case that there is a craving for worldly greatness the end will justify the means, whatever the means may be.

Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

Who is The Greatest Among You. Part [6] 08/22/2025 (Evening thought)

1st Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.

[4] True greatness is also manifested by being kind, and being a lover of the truth. One of the important underlying characteristics of sheep is that they love truth. That is the reason why they hear The Master’s voice when He speaks, because they love truth. [5] True greatness is also manifested by the person being humble. Pride and haughtiness make a person look small, and there’s usually a great loss of respect and credibility in the eyes of the beholders.

Isaiah 14: 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north. 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most-High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

This leads us to our case study in greatness which is found in our opening passages. In that instance, the sons of Zebedee went privately to Jesus, behind the other disciples’ backs as it were, and they, with their mother, asked for the highest place in His kingdom, something that all of the disciples were secretly or openly cherishing.

Proverbs 16: 18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!