Who is the greatest?
"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, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him 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
I do not know how many of us are willing to admit that we've had a moment like the one we catch the disciples experiencing in Mark 9. We might not be arguing with one another about who is the greatest, but we've thought about it. I mean, let's be honest...no one is looking...raise your hand if you have ever thought "I'm better than her/him"...raise your hand if you have ever wondered "why did they choose him/her over me"... Well, that brings us to this passage for the week. How easy it is for us as humans to compare ourselves to one another. It is simple to do without even thinking about it. However, I believe that Jesus teaches us an important lesson in this passage. We will know the greatest among us through service! Without service, there is no leadership!
In other words, we must humble ourselves and allow God to exalt us! I know it is difficult MOST OF THE TIME to do so because it seems like others minimize and even overlook your gifts, but who cares??? I would rather every human minimize my gifts if it means that it's a choice between them and God. So, who is really the greatest?
Have you served someone else lately? Have you placed someone else's needs before your own? Have you done the job that no one else wanted to or was even willing to do? Well, you are the greatest! For you have become servant...wait-it's not that easy!!! If it was that easy, then non-believers who are philanthropists would beat out many of us Christians. It seems like the world has this "giving back/service" spirit down to a science. However, I believe that Jesus draws a line in the sand with those last two verses. He brings a child among the disciples and says if you welcome him, then you welcome me. We must check our motives!!!
Our struggle is not simply over by deciding to serve, but Jesus challenges us to change our hearts as well. A child's heart is innocent and vulnerable. Think about the friends that you may have shared moments with at 5 years old that you couldn't if you tried now. We should ask God for pure hearts...a child's heart to love one another in true service as Jesus demonstrated. For those are the ones who Jesus says is the greatest!
So, who is the greatest? I pray you are...I pray we are...I pray we will be the greatest!
Blessings,
Pastor C
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