43 And they were all astonished at the greatness of God. While everyone was amazed at all the things he was doing, he told his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink in: The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this statement; it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it. 46 An argument started among them about who was the greatest of them. 47 But Jesus, knowing their inner thoughts, took a little child and had him stand next to him. 48 He told them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me. For whoever is least among you—this one is great.”

We live in a culture obsessed with greatness.

 BIG IDEA: Following Jesus means taking the lower place — because that's where He is.

• What Pride Is

Pride is what happens when the greatness of God fades from view and your own fills the space.

1 Corinthians 4:7... 

Who makes you superior?

What do you have that you didn't receive?

If you received it... Why are you acting like you didn't?

• What Pride Does

(v., 46) "An argument started among them about who was the greatest of them."

Pride turns the focus inward.

• What Pride Costs

(Proverbs 16:18) Pride goes before destruction… and a haughty spirit before a fall…"

(James 4:6) "God opposes the proud... but gives grace to the humble..."

Pride is the surest way to lose the very thing you were trying to protect.

• Who Jesus Is

Omnipotent--He healed the boy

Omniscient--He knew the disciples' thoughts

Jesus had every reason to exalt Himself.

• What Jesus Knew

(v. 44) "Let these words sink into your ears... The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men…"

He knows the road He's on... 

He knows where it ends... 

And He's still walking it.

• What Jesus Did

(Philippians 2:5–8) "... Have this mind among yourselves... which is yours in Christ Jesus... who though he was in the form of God... did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped... but emptied himself... by taking the form of a servant... being born in the likeness of men... And being found in human form... he humbled himself... by becoming obedient to the point of death... even death on a cross..."

He stepped down not so you could admire from it from a distance…

… He stepped down so you could follow Him there. 

• What the Step Looks Like—a small child

(v. 48) "Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me... And whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me..."

(Luke 22:24) "A dispute also arose among them about who should be considered greatest…"

• What the Step Means—greatness runs  downward

(v. 48) "For whoever is least among you — this one is great..."

(1 Peter 5:6) "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God... and He will exalt you at the proper time..."

• What the Step Requires—from you, today

Step low. 

1️⃣ Intentionally choose a lower place. 

Not because you’re worthless.

But because that’s where Jesus went. 

 Sit with Philippians 2

... Read it slowly

... Let the descent sink in

2️⃣ Step toward the overlooked. 

Find the person nobody is moving toward. 

Jesus sees them…

And He's already moving toward them. 

The question is whether you're following Him there.

3️⃣ Serve where nobody notices. 

Find a place nobody is competing for.

If that feels beneath you… 

  … or like it should be someone’s job…

    ….. by all means, do it. Step low.