Mark 9:33-37
“They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.””
Mark 9:33-37 NIV
Our world is obsessed by status, and that causes a lot of hurt. In our world, people are measured by the color of their skin, the way they dress, how much money they have, and more.
In Jesus day, people were defined by whether they were Jew or Gentile, male or female, religiously clean or unclean, rich or poor, and on and on.
It was this kind of thinking that moved the disciples to argue about whom Jesus loved most. And as soon as Jesus asked what they were talking about, they were embarrassed.
It’s very different from the way the world operates. Jesus was changing our minds and our hearts when it comes to greatness. It’s sad how many Christian leaders look at this verse and say the way to go up in your leadership is to serve.
That statement did not get the heart of what Jesus was saying. Serving is not another kind of leadership. For Jesus serving is leadership.
If in the world you become great by putting yourself forward to be recognized, clawing your way to the top while pushing others down, being arrogant and self-focused in the Kingdom of God you become great by lowering yourself and being the last of all. If being great in the world means being served by others in the Kingdom of god being great means serving others.
Jesus is saying to His disciples it’s ok to seek to be great, but you’re going about it in exactly the wrong way. Don’t focus on raising yourself up and being recognized and served. Focus on lowering yourself and serving others’ needs. For this is what greatness means in the Kingdom of God. And these God Himself will raise up to be honored.
Remember that in biblical times children were not held in the same high regard as they are today in the West. They were often seen as no more than slaves, until they grew up. They had no power or social status. They were not put on a pedestal. They were on the bottom lowly and last.
And so what does Jesus do? Taking the child in His arms can also be translated as embracing him. Jesus hugs the child. A simple act of love, the giving of attention and affection. Jesus is saying, This is what I’m talking about.
Jesus is saying that greatness comes from accepting the lowest social status in order to serve others, in this case a child. You put yourself below the lowly one, so that you can love and minister to their needs. Instead of the lowly ones focusing on you and lifting you up, you focus on them and lift them up by serving them.
Father thank You for this day and Your life sustaining Word. Lord let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family’s portion today. Lord please gently humble us, remove the rubbish of our character. Lord purge out the arrogance and selfishness of our hearts so that we can serve You and others, with Your love and care. Lord thank You for welcoming us into your embrace. Lord help us to love others as unconditionally as You love us and help us to serve all people in Your Name. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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