The Religious In-Crowd

• The more we follow Jesus, the less we look down, shut out, or write off others.

Looks Down (46-48)

• Jesus spoke of His coming suffering (44); His disciples argued about their supposed superiority (46).
• Jesus measures greatness by how we welcome those the world considers insignificant (47-48).
• You cannot look up to Jesus while looking down on others.

Shuts Out (49-50)

• The disciples couldn’t cast out a demon (40), yet they tried to stop someone who could (49).
• Jesus rejects the assumption that only our crowd can carry out His work (50).
• Don’t let your circle keep you from seeing what Jesus is doing throughout His Church.

Writes Off (51-56)

• After seeing the great prophets on the mountain (30), these disciples wanted to bring ancient judgment down on a village (54).
• Jesus was determined to give His life; His disciples wanted to take the lives of those who rejected Him (51-55).
• Before you write off people unlike you, remember that Jesus went to the cross for people unlike Him.

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• Don’t let the religious in-crowd keep you from loving outsiders.