Being disciples together

Sunday, 2 April 2023 by

Phil Firth - Sunday, 2 April 2023

Being disciples together

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“I am the greatest”. You probably know who made that statement. In his usual understated way, Mohammed Ali made this claim in February 1964, before one of his fights with Sonny Liston for the Heavyweight Boxing title of the world. He seems to have been generally applauded for it. In Matthew’s Gospel today, the question that immediately draws our attention is similar to Ali’s. “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Is this a question that should be occupying the disciples? Most of us won’t be “great” in worldly terms. But many of us want to do something significant in this world. The disciples’ question gives Jesus the opportunity to remind the disciples (and us) about how to gain entry into His kingdom and to also teach His disciples about what is valued in His kingdom. Importantly, Jesus does not stop there. He goes on to talk about how the members of His kingdom are to relate to each other as they live as His disciples. If we are to be true members of His kingdom, true disciples, we need to listen and learn as our King speaks.

Scripture References: Matthew 18:1-14, Psalms 14:1-7, Philippians 2:1-8

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