What Jesus Did! 'Just Not Getting It!' — Luke 9:46

Monday, June 19, 2023

Then [Jesus'] disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest.
— Luke 9:46 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus had just warned his disciples that he was going to be betrayed. [1] Instead of each of them questioning if he might be the offender, they wrestled with their own delusions of grandeur. Rather than following Jesus in the way of the cross, they were looking for their own place in glory. So often our pride and desire to be noticed can blind us to our own potential for failure. Rather than being great, these disciples would all let Jesus down during his most difficult time. [2] When we feel ourselves striving for human recognition and are frustrated because we don't get recognized as prominently as someone else, let's remember the disciples and their spiritual blindness so we can avoid a case of our own spiritual blindness.

[1] Luke 9:43-45.
[2] Matthew 26:31, 47-49, 56.

Today's Prayer

Give me eyes to see, O Lord God, so that I will not be deceived and develop a lust for recognition. Please help me see my weaknesses and draw close to you for wisdom, strength, humility, and perseverance. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

The Blindness of Fear
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, Have you ever been blinded by fear? Have your decisions ever been erratic or inappropriate because you were acting out of terror and..."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 9:46 NLT — Then [Jesus'] disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, June 19, 2023

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Colossians 1:5
"Our hope in Christ for the future is the mainspring and the mainstay of our joy here. It will animate our hearts to think often of heaven, for all..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'The Spirit Gives Life!' (2 Co. 3:6)
"[God] has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Paul's Plans Led to Hardship' (Acts 21:4)
"[Paul and his companions] went ashore [in Tyre], found the local believers, and stayed with them a week. These believers prophesied through the Holy...."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Proverbs 29:25
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!