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They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 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.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’ (Mark 9:30-39)
It's Monday and work week begins for most of us, dear Friend! Ready or not, work awaits. May the joy of the Lord be our strength as we seek to serve and work for Him! May our time spent in prayer and study bless us to be a blessing to others.
The time Jesus spent teaching the disciples at times seemed like it wasn't working or sinking in. Jesus sought to have time alone with them so they could fully understand the serious and very sacred nature of their calling. And the "heavy stuff" dealt with His death and resurrection. Evidence the silence when Jesus asked them what they were talking about as they walked through Galilee and arrived in Capernaum. They never said, but Jesus knew; they were talking about who among them was the greatest. Imagine Jesus' heart! Here He is talking about the greatest sacrifice the world would ever know and they want to know who among them was the greatest. Really, they were talking about seating arrangements in the hall of government; remember even the mother of two of them got involved pleading for Jesus to make her boys sit on His right and one on the left? They would realize later that just being in Jesus' company was the greatest blessing they could ask for. They were eyewitnesses to the greatest miracles, listeners to the greatest sermons, and recipients of the greatest love they had ever known - yet, they wanted more for themselves. Sound like us sometimes, does it not? Jesus then reveals the plan: The first will be last, and the last will be first. "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant to all." Then to illustrate His point, Jesus takes a little child and says, "Whoever welcomes one such child in My name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the One who sent me." BOOM!
The children of that time were really not significant beyond their homes. These twelve men who had probably left their children home with their mothers to follow Jesus at times seem too caught up with trying to make sense of everything to notice and interact with kids; now Jesus is embracing one and telling them to welcome children in His name; and to do that means that they have welcomed the One (God) who sent Jesus!
Jesus wants us all to be servants of all. That means putting the interest and wellbeing of others way ahead of our own. Instead of being concerned about seating arrangements and where we will sit, Jesus wants us involved in the serving; the kind that asks, "Have you been served? Have you received some food? Can I bring you anything else?" That is discipleship.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, sometimes, like Peter, Andrew, James, and John and all the rest, I get it so wrong. I put myself ahead of others, worried about where I will sit and be served. I understand now it is about making sure others have a place to sit; that they feel welcome, and that their needs are addressed. Forgive me those times, and grant me wisdom to serve. And forbid that I should be to busy to notice and welcome children. This I pray in Thy name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day! Put on an apron and serve someone!
Eradio Valverde
