Luke 9
Welcome to the second part of our series exploring the Gospel of Luke. If you were with us during part one, you might remember that we journeyed through the early chapters, learning about the birth of Jesus, His ministry, and the way He transformed the lives of those around Him. We saw how Jesus befriended the outcasts, healed the sick, and taught with authority that continues to challenge and shape our world today. We also discovered the peace, purpose, and hope that come through the unmerited favor of God, as demonstrated in Jesus Christ.
Today, we pick up the story in Luke 9, where we find Jesus in a moment of both miraculous power and profound teaching. The chapter begins with Jesus healing a little boy possessed by a demon. This was no ordinary illness—the boy would scream, foam at the mouth, and convulse violently. The disciples, despite their previous successes in healing and casting out demons, were unable to help. But Jesus, with a simple rebuke, healed the boy, leaving the crowd in awe.
As the people marveled at this display of power, Jesus turned to His disciples with a somber warning: “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into human hands.” This wasn’t the first time Jesus had spoken of His impending suffering and death, but the disciples struggled to understand. The idea that their powerful teacher, the one who could command demons and calm storms, would be handed over and killed was incomprehensible.
Amid this confusion, the disciples began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God. They still didn’t grasp the nature of Jesus’ mission or the Kingdom He was establishing. In response, Jesus brought a child before them and said, “Whoever is least among you all is the greatest.” With this simple gesture, Jesus taught them that true greatness in God’s Kingdom is not about power or status but about humility.
This lesson on humility continued as the disciples reported seeing someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name. They had tried to stop him because he wasn’t part of their group. But Jesus corrected them, saying, “Don’t stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.” The disciples’ pride had led them to believe that they were the only ones authorized to do God’s work, but Jesus showed them that the Kingdom of God is broader than their own circle.
As the story progresses, we see pride rearing its head again, this time in the form of hostility from the Samaritans. When they refused to welcome Jesus because He was heading to Jerusalem, James and John—known as the Sons of Thunder—asked if they should call down fire from heaven to destroy them. This response echoed the actions of the prophet Elijah, who had called down fire on those who disrespected him. But Jesus rebuked them, refusing to use His power to punish or destroy. Instead, He continued His journey, demonstrating that true greatness and power lie in humility, not in vengeance or domination.
Throughout these stories, we see a recurring theme: the importance of spiritual humility. Jesus consistently contrasts the pride of the disciples, the Samaritans, and others with the humility He calls us to embrace. True greatness, according to Jesus, is not found in status, power, or knowledge but in coming before God with the humility of a child—acknowledging our dependence on Him and seeking His grace not because we deserve it, but because of His love.
Spiritual humility means recognizing that all we have, including our salvation, is a gift from God. It’s about letting go of our pride, our achievements, and even our sufferings as justifications for God’s favor. Instead, we come to God empty-handed, relying solely on His mercy and grace. This humility is the antidote to pride, and it opens the door to experiencing God’s blessings in ways we can’t even imagine.
