Mark 9:33-37

Passage

Jesus and His disciples come back to Capernaum, where Jesus’ house was located.  Once they got in the house, Jesus asked them all, “What were you guys talking about as we walked?”  They were quiet, because on the way they had been arguing among themselves who was the greatest.  Jesus sat down and called the twelve together.  He told them that if anyone would like to be first, then they must be last and a servant from all.  He took a child and set the child among them.  Jesus took the child into His arms and told the disciples that if they receive a child in a like manner they receive Christ.  Whoever receives Christ receives the one who sent Jesus: the Father.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The disciples were in silence because of Jesus’ question.  They knew that their topic of conversation wasn’t really right.  So they kept quiet.  Guilt is an amazing motivator.  However, I think there is something deeper here.  In order for them to talk privately without Jesus hearing they must have walked with a bit of distance between them and their mentor.  Isn’t it amazing that when we feel the temptation to sin we know who to exclude in our midst!  When we want to do something that we know is wrong, rather than turning to the people that can help us avoid doing wrong we actually tend to push them away or at least distance ourselves from their presence.

Why do we enjoy the temptation of sin – especially when it comes to social sin like gossip, arguing, etc?  Who are the people you tend to push away when you are behaving in such a manner because you know they wouldn’t approve?  What can this reflection teach you about human behavior – specifically your human behavior?

Second Thought:

Jesus tells the disciples that if anyone wants to be first, they must be willing to be last and adopt a servant’s mindset.  There are two neat things about this point.  First, notice that Jesus addressed their conversation in spite of the fact that nobody was willing to tell Him about it.  He knew without being told.  It’s proof that He was the Son of God.  Second, Jesus is telling His disciples that the greatest people are the ones who think of themselves last.  Think about what Jesus was going to do.  He was going to die through no fault of His own for the sake of others.  He thought of the whole world before He thought of Himself.  That’s greatness, and we see His disciples engage in that kind of behavior once He ascends into heaven.  Throughout history, the greatest Christians are always those who think of others before themselves.

How does this teaching contrast with the world?  How much do you think about yourself, your agenda, and your needs?  Look to the truly spiritual people around you.  How much do they put their needs ahead of the needs of others?

Third Thought:

Jesus scoops up the child in His arms.  I think there is an often overlooked message in this passage.  Yes, Jesus is telling us to care for children.  Absolutely.  But Jesus is also talking about the means of reception.  To hold someone into your arms means to embrace them.  It means to welcome them like you would family.  It means to allow them into your personal space.  It means to grant them a fairly intimate access into your life.  Jesus is telling us that we need to receive one another closely – in true relationship.  When we grant others a personal intimacy to see God at work in our life, we reflect the intimacy that Christ extended to us by allowing us into His life.

Do we live in a culture that promotes letting people see us in our real state?  What does our culture tell us we need to do when we are going out with people or having people come into our homes?  Why do you think intimacy – realness in relationship – can be such a powerful tool in our culture?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 9:38-41