Who’s the Greatest? – Family Devotion – October 27, 2021

Read: Isaiah 53:10-12

Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin.
After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 53:10-12

Who’s the Greatest?

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“I am the greatest!” A famous boxer named Muhammed Ali made that statement in 1964 just before one of his big boxing matches. Ever since that day, many Americans hear that phrase and immediately think of that very famous man.

Being “great” is something that a lot of people hope for. Whether its athletes being great at their sports, musicians being great performers, or students being great in school and other activities—all people seem to have a desire to be great.

However, greatness doesn’t last very long. Great athletes get older and slower. Great singers lose their fame to new great singers. Great basketball teams are beaten by other great teams. And finally, every human being eventually dies. Our greatness doesn’t last.

But that’s not the case with Jesus. Jesus is the one and only who can say, “I am the greatest,” something that always has been and always will be true. But he didn’t say it. Jesus set aside his glory and honor in order to give up his life for you and for me. The words that we hear today are a prophecy from the prophet Isaiah spoken about 700 years before Jesus came to earth. The words tell us how Jesus would come to suffer and bear the sins of the world as he gave his life as an offering, or payment for all sin.

Jesus fulfilled this promise and did come to save us. So God the Father says about his Son in verse 12, “Therefore, I will give him a portion among the great.” Jesus has all glory and honor as the greatest—the one and only who lived, died, and rose again to save us from death and hell.

Because Jesus is so great, it is good for us to thank and to praise him. What a joy to worship our great Savior on Sunday! What a blessing to be able to pray to our great Lord and know that he listens to us! What a comfort to be able to put our hope and confidence in our great God! Rejoice that you know the one who actually is the greatest—Jesus Christ our Lord.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, how great and gracious you are, that you came to live and die for me. Now help me to thank and praise you in all that I do! Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Name two people who are “great” in this world.
• Why is Jesus the greatest?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Satan is very powerful and dangerous! How do we know that Jesus is more powerful than Satan?
• Explain how the greatness of Jesus is so much different than the greatness people in this world think about.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Isaiah spoke these words about Jesus’ suffering and dying 700 years before it happened. Explain why that is something that helps us to know that the Bible is truly God’s Word.
• We often talk about thanking and praising Jesus for what he has done. Give a real and practical way that you can do that in your life?