This chapter has so much in it! 3 disciples got to be with Jesus and share in seeing the glory of the Son with their own eyes. The other 9 disciples were in the valley and trying to cast out demons. They both had very different experiences but I can imaging they all learned a lot. The 3 on the mountain got to see the scriptures being fulfilled. The 9 in the valley got a glimpse of not being prepared for ministry. They didn't understand why they weren't able to cast out the demon but Jesus taught them that only through prayer would they be able to do this. They needed to spend that time with the Father.
I think it is kind of funny that the disciples were arguing over who was the greatest. None of them were able to cast out the demon so I'm not exactly sure what they were arguing about. I love how Jesus gently reminds them that "if anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Don't we all need this reminder at times. Sometimes we get so self focused that we put our needs, our hurts, our trials, our circumstances, our situations, our families, our feelings above everyone else. I know there are so many times when we would have just served our neighbor or someone in our lives, it would have taken the focus off of whatever we were doing and going through and would have been such a blessing to both. "True greatness is found, not in rank or possessions, but in character and service." Phil. 2:1-13
Jesus is holding us to a higher standard here. He wants us to get rid of the sin in our lives so that we do not cause others to stumble. It is so important to be the servant of others and to live with true Christian character and integrity (having salt in our lives). We all fail and come short of the glory of God, but here Jesus is calling us to love the lost the best we can and not cause them to stumble.
I hope you have a very blessed week! Please remember to be praying for each other!
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