February 19 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Matt 18:1–5

Devotional

The disciples argued with one another about who would be the greatest among them. Their argument profoundly illustrates that pride can easily gain the upper hand. The venom of pride is present in man’s corrupt flesh.

Who was the greatest one? Would it be Peter, or would it be James? Perhaps it would be Thomas or another disciple. We imagine that Peter would have said: “Of course, I am the greatest, because I was the first person who confessed Christ as the Son of God.” James and John would have resisted Peter and pointed out that they also belonged to the three disciples who at times were privileged to be with the Lord by themselves. Andrew could have said that he was the first one who followed Jesus. He was already a disciple when the others were still fishing on the Sea of Galilee. What about Nathanael? He would not have forgotten that Jesus said of him, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Could Judas be the greatest? He carried the purse. He was the man who had the trust of all the others. Besides that he could point out that he came from Judea, where the people were well instructed and most faithful to God’s laws. Compared to him, the others were only ignorant Galileans.

We can imagine that in this way other disciples would have brought forward more matters to prove that they were the greatest. Disciples, who during these discussions had remained somewhat in the background, could well have said to the others, “All of you who think you are the greatest might actually be the least while we are the greatest.” It could certainly be true. We too can assume the lowest place in the background and pretend to be the least while with our cunning heart we think we are the greatest.

Oh, what an argument there was among the disciples! They thought so much of themselves. Why did they think so highly of themselves? In reality everything that they had was only because of God’s grace. Think how foolish it is to want to be the greatest. Is this not the greatest travesty? The aim of grace is to humble us. Man’s proud flesh will easily interfere with grace. Everything we have is because of God’s undeserved mercy. Let us examine our hearts and listen to Peter who later wrote: “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.