Mark 9: 30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." 32 But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. 33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37 "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." (NRSV)
Are we paying attention as we should? Or, are we missing the greater point because of our earthly worries? As a pastor I know when people are not paying attention. And being human, it does bother me a bit. Jesus had this same problem as He is trying to teach His disciples about that which awaited Him, but they were busy talking about other things. His declaration, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands (The Message says, "Those who do not care about God"), and they will kill Him, and three days after being killed, He will rise again" fell on empty ears. What was more important? Who was going to be the greatest in this little band of twelve. Their response to Jesus was exactly like little children who are caught in the act and remain silent when asked about what they were up to. Jesus knew and made another declaration; "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." This was a teaching moment and an important one. In God's Kingdom, it is all about God and God's people and not us. Most of the problems I see in a church are because we have lost focus of that and center on ourselves, our comfort, our authority, our power, and our way. Sounds like the Message version was right; those problems make it seem like we don't care about God because we're too busy caring about ourselves.
Jesus then moves to the children and lifting one in His arms, Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." (v. 37). In one of my previous churches I heard something that still pains me for it spoke directly in Jesus' face and teaching. This person said, "I don't care if I ever see another child in this church." Ouch. If Jesus was right, this person was saying, "I don't care if I ever see God in this church again." Someone was not paying attention.
How about you, dear friend? Have you been paying attention to your relationship with God and God's children? Do you realize it is not about your place in line whether you're first or last, about who serves you and how much you get served; it's about our willingness to be last and not only last but also to serve as needed. And our attitude should be like that of children, welcoming with joy and love those whom God may send our way,and in so doing, we are welcoming not only the children, we're welcoming in Jesus and Jesus' Father, our Heavenly Father as well.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to pay attention to You. Forgive me the times I have not heard or have chosen not to hear because I'm busying planning for my successes and my comforts and joys. I realize now that I must be last and not only last, but Your servant, humble and obedient and willing to serve You and Yours. Help me to welcome all, especially children, because I not only need children around me, but You and Your Son, Jesus; in Whose name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
