An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” Luke 9:46-48

Where does greatness lie? POTUS believes it is in being admired, having power and wealth. Jesus, however, makes it unambiguous that greatness is manifested in serving others – particularly the powerless, the poor, the vulnerable. These are lessons that Donald Trump – the professed Christian – seems unwilling or unable to embrace.

Rather, emboldened by his acolytes, he inverts Christ’s instruction to be compassionate to the marginalized. Trump rips healthcare from the sick, SNAP benefits from the underfed, sojourners from their homes and children. Oh yes, he is empathetic – not to the weak, the afflicted or the assailable – but to the self-serving who bend the knee to his narcissism and those who pad his bank account.

Trump’s desire for acclaim to quench his insatiable ego inverts Christ’s model of humility in serving. His absurd self-absorption endangers the country, alienating allies, emboldening enemies and creating hardship for the most vulnerable.

More grievously, his proclamations of faith while behaving antithetically to a true follower of Christ are evidence of a blatant hypocrisy that weakens the Church. His false prophet apologists within the church destroy the integrity and credibility of Christian outreach to those who have yet to find faith.

Jesus’ love, His grace and His humility in obedience to the Father in going to the cross make Him great and worthy of worship. Despite his protestations to the contrary, Donald Trump is not.

He is, however, worthy of our prayers. Let us pray for his enlightenment and that he may yet pursue obedience to the Lord – the only one capable of passing judgment on our souls.