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

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Praise God in the Highest!' (Mk. 11:9-10)
"Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, "Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Spiritual Resources' (Ep. 6:17-18)
"Dear Father, my resource for everything, Help me make full use of your spiritual resources given to me. Help me destroy evil through the power of..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 Peter 2:15-16
"It is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;....."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'They Can't Prove What They Are Saying!'
"[After Tertullus presented the charges against Paul,] the governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, "I know, sir, that you have been a..."

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!