Bible Studies

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… argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest …
Luke 9:46



Isn’t that just like human nature? We stand amazed at the greatness of God (v.43) then immediately begin a fleshly battle that negates the very God we see. The hands that would betray the Son of God were in essence starting the betraying within His very own entourage. Not literally, but certainly spiritually. A betrayal of His essence, of His heart. Here the disciples stand, within the very presence of the only greatness existing, and they argue among their puny selves.

I’m certainly great.
No, no, no…I’m greater.
Now wait a minute, there isn’t any one of you here who is greater than me.

Can’t you just hear it? Actually, don’t we hear it every day? Doesn’t it start with me? Somewhere in my heart? The bedrock for all those little irritations that creep into every day I take a breath. I don’t want to admit their presence. But they’re there. I know it – and You know it God.

No wonder Jesus did not entrust Himself into the hands of man. Even at our best, my best, I can’t be trusted. And the battle rocks on, doesn’t it? The spiritual arena never lapses, never disappears. It’s always right there, out of sight, but never out of ‘touch’ with our life. The more truth the Lord speaks, the more manifest the line’s drawn, the more enemies enter the fray.

And how am I, my life, any different than what lies revealed in these passages. Before you know it, like the disciples I’m asking for permission to call down the fire (v.54). How tempting, once seeing the reality of God’s power, to want to misappropriate it – to use it for one’s own purposes.

Even here, in the Samaritan situation, it’s all about whose better. Only this time the collective group speaks from the position of being ‘better’ than those not having their truth. We see this, every day, within the body of Christ. Directed towards itself, and directed towards the very ones we’re called to touch with the truth of His love.

How unlike God’s nature. How unlike Heaven’s Kingdom. Imagine for a moment God taking up that position. Heaven forbid, thank God! Else there would be no hope for me at all. God didn’t come to me when I had it all together, when I had all the answers, when my understanding stood in harmony with Him. God came to me when I was without hope, without a clue I needed Him, let alone a recognition that I needed to ‘let Him in’ and allow Him to walk me into His understanding.

I cannot begin to fathom the loneliness of Jesus as He walked among us. I can’t imagine the loneliness He experiences now. How often, even knowing Him, my heart stretches out like Samaria. He asks to come, for me to prepare a place for Him, and I don’t want Him there. I’d rather keep Him out, or simply turn to any other activity than that of preparing for Him. Not always consciously, but all too often, in reality.

When will I fully comprehend that like Jesus, I’m headed for Jerusalem. Have I truly set my face towards it like Jesus did? I think not. For moments, when it is convenient, but not the unshakable, resolute setting of my face that never confuses the destination with the sod my feet now trod.

Jesus never confused the here and now with the destination to which He headed … to which I am destined … eternity. And a kingdom. I have a choice of kingdoms. There are two. They both have a price tag. Yes, there is a cost that comes in setting my face towards the Kingdom of God. A cost to following Jesus there. The price tag, painted PAID IN FULL with the precious blood of Jesus, lies in my hand … in the form of a cross. A cross He calls me to pick up. A cross of self-denial. Denial of grasping for the shadow now, that I may obtain the fullness of its reality when together Jesus and I walk through the Kingdom door together.



In this land of shadows, Lord, it’s so hard to grasp Your Kingdom call. The blessing of those moments of vision-clarity fuel my steps forward, where without them I would fall. Let me behold Your greatness! And in the seeing, Lord, let humility replace pride, let love replace prejudice, let unity replace self-glorification. Teach me to prepare a place for You within every aspect of my life, my heart, my will. Then come, let me sit with You there, that Your presence might set my face towards Jerusalem. With Your heart may I resolutely embrace the cost, and with faithfulness empowering my every step, reach that final doorway grasping Jesus’ hand. Amen and amen. May it ever be so…




©8 April 2005
DeAnna Brooks

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