Luke 9:46-50 – Pride and Division

Our Lord Jesus gives us two warnings here. The first is a warning against pride. Even among these disciples, men who live their lives in the shadow of the Son of God, pride is present. They are ready to argue over who will get the best place in the future kingdom. Of all sins there is, perhaps, none against which we have such need to watch and pray, as pride. No sin is so deeply rooted within us. No sin is so deceitful, ready to spring forth at any time. Pride can be found in the hearts of the ignorant and the poor as well as the great, the intelligent, and the rich. We must pray for humility and the dependent spirit of a little child, a child who realises that all he has comes from his parents. We are to imitate Christ, putting aside our selfishness and putting others before ourself. We should be ready at all times to take the lowest place and daily confess our need of Christ.

Our Lord Jesus Christ also warns the disciples against a divisive spirit. Jesus is not saying that it doesn’t matter whether we are Protestant, Muslim, Catholic, or Jew as long as we do good works. What He is saying is that those who are doing God’s work God’s way ought not to be forbidden. Thousands of people down through Church history have copied John’s mistake. They have tried to stop every man who will not work for Christ in their way, from working for Christ at all. They have imagined that no man can be a soldier of Christ, unless he wears their uniform, and fights in their regiment. The plain truth is, that we are all too ready to say, “We are the men, and wisdom shall die with us.” (Job 12:2) We forget that no one has an absolute monopoly of wisdom, and that people may be right without agreeing with us. We must learn to be thankful if sin is opposed, and the Gospel preached, and the devil’s kingdom pulled down, though the work may not be done by us.

Questions
1. How can we fight against our pride?
2. What should we rejoice in?

Prayer Points
1. Give thanks that the Lord’s work is done throughout the world.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.