Hello, I’m Daniel Westfall on the channel “Pray With Me”.
Mark chapters 8 and 9 reported two world-shaking events. Peter recognized Jesus as the anointed one, the Messiah. And not long after, Jesus stepped into God’s glory on the mountain, talking with Moses and Elijah.
After these events, Jesus taught his disciples that he would soon suffer and die. The disciples didn’t believe him. Peter said, “Not so,” and Jesus replied, “Get behind me, Satan” (Mark 8:33). The next time Jesus mentioned suffering and death, his disciples stayed silent. They didn’t pull another Peter, but among themselves, they argued about who would be greatest (Mark 9:33-34).
This prompted Jesus to make several comments about greatness.
First, he pointed out that God was planning a Great Reversal. “Whoever is first must be last, must be the servant of all.” he said (Mark 9:35). In the Great Reversal, servants become rulers, the insignificant gain status, and slaves become kings. If you’re following me, Jesus said, don’t count your kingdoms before you are king.
Second, Jesus took a child in his arms and said, “Whoever welcomes a little child in my name welcomes me” (Mark 9:37). The children’s Sunday School teacher is as great as the preacher.
John, thinking about welcoming children, also thought about who wasn’t welcome. He said, “We saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we told him to stop, because he’s not one of us” (Mark 9:38). Jesus replied, “You’re making a mistake. Whoever drives out demons or does miracles or even gives a cup of water in my name, is on our side” (Mark 9:39-40).
Clearly, the disciples needed to expand their view of Jesus followers. Whoever respects the name of Jesus is our ally, whether they are conservative, liberal, or even non-Christians. As Jesus said, “Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40).
The disciple’s argument about who was greatest didn’t fare well in Jesus’ views about servants and children and outsiders. Continuing his response, Jesus warned against harming children’s faith. He said, if you cause one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better if you swam with pockets full of stones and drowned. If your hand or eye or foot causes you to stumble, cut it off (Mark 9:42-49).
Wow. The great disciples aren’t permitted even to lord it over children!
And Jesus warned, “Everyone will be salted with fire” (Mark 9:49). Don’t try to climb the corporate ladder of Jesus’ kingdom. Rather, prepare to go through the fire that will strip away sins and false aspirations, and maybe even the self that you love.
Jesus’ final comment to the disciples was, “Have salt among yourselves and be at peace with each other” (Mark 9:50). You’re a salty, earthy, edgy lot of disciples. But there’s no need to argue about who will be greatest. Be salty with each other, but do it peacefully.
Let’s pray.
O father, Jesus tells us that in his kingdom, the first are last and the last are first.
We are the first. We have studied the scriptures and the life of Jesus, and we have worked out how best to follow him. Surely our efforts have moved us up the corporate ladder.
But Jesus’ instructions bring us down to earth. Care for the children, don’t think you’re above outsiders who serve him. Attend to the small things. Be a servant, do the dishes, shine the shoes, clean the bathtub, sweep the sidewalk.
O father, give us wisdom and vision to follow his teaching.
Amen.
I’m Daniel, on the channel “Pray with Me”.
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