Wednesday: Who Is the Greatest?
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 14th of August 2024
Read Mark 9:30-41. What is different about Jesus’ second prediction of His death and resurrection (compare with Mark 8:31)? Also, what do the disciples argue about, and what instruction does Jesus give?
In the first prediction, Jesus refers to those who will reject Him and kill Him. In the second prediction, Jesus refers to the fact that He will be betrayed. The betrayer is not pointed out at this time, but the reader already knows who it is because of the identification of Judas (see Mark 3:19).
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Again, the Lord refers to being killed and then rising after three days. But the disciples seem even less interested in the details of this prediction than in the first. Unwelcome news does not garner discussion.
In Mark 8:27, Jesus was north of the Sea of Galilee near Caesarea Philippi. In Mark 9:30, He is passing through Galilee, and in Mark 9:33, He enters Capernaum. Thus, it is not difficult to envisage His journey from north to south. However, He enters Capernaum alone as the twelve disciples lag behind. In the house, He inquires about their discussion on the way. No one speaks up, a sure sign of their discomfort at the question, almost like children caught doing something they know is wrong. Their conversation had been about who was the greatest. As little as most people are willing to admit it, this question of who is greatest is something everyone thinks about. But in the kingdom of God, this idea gets turned upside down.
Jesus responds to the problem in two steps. First, He utters the clear statement that to be first (greatest), you have to become a servant. Then Jesus illustrates His meaning by an action. Evidently a child was standing nearby listening. Jesus takes the child and places him in the midst of the group. That would be intimidating for the child. But then Jesus takes the child in His arms, relaxing the scene. He teaches that if you receive the child, you receive Him. And if you receive Him, you receive His Father. Thus, the lowest child is linked to God Himself.
John asks a question about outsiders, and Jesus teaches the important lesson that those not against us are for us. The Lord affirms that helping those in Christian service, even in small ways, does not go unnoticed in heaven.
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What is the biblical idea of greatness in contrast to the world’s idea? Which one are you striving for? |
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Embarrassed silence! I like the way it is expressed in The Message:
I think we have all been in a situation where we don't want to talk about what we have just been talking about. The disciples still entertained the opinion that the Kingdom of God was an earthly kingdom with a court of powerful people who ran the show. They had formed an ad hoc subcommittee out of ear-shot of Jesus to divvy the positions among themselves. It sounds a bit like some nominating committees I have attended.
Jesus knew how their minds worked and set about teaching them that the greatest was the least and the least the greatest. He used a little child as an illustration.
One of the things that I had to learn in my teaching career was that successful teaching was not about proving that I was the one with the greatest knowledge in the room. I had to learn to think like a child to grow their understanding. I had to lead by serving their learning needs.
In our spiritual lives, we sometimes get carried away by vindicating our doctrinal positions and biblical interpretations rather than understanding how we should serve others. One of the most poignant scenes in the crucifixion story is where Jesus washes the feet of the disciples and even there they were still arguing and positioning themselves to be great in the kingdom. If we want to spread the Gospel successfully, maybe we need to learn to wash feet.
Can I be sent important messages via email.
We no longer have an email option as it proved unreliable.
We have to humble our selves first then we will learn to wash others feet just as Jesus did put other people before himself then we can move on to other things
Using my imagination... It would have been an impossible scenario for any disciple to show he is more humble than the other. Christ was defeating classes. How do you prove that you are more humble than the next? While being humble when proving it? If one thinks "I am now being humble" doesn't that defeat the very thing being proven?
We are to be humble in character, not in thought (alone).
The disciples discussed a 'childish' topic (they were young after all). Christ came into the scene with a child. What strikes me is that Christ essentially tells them to be (like) a child. The He takes the child to His arms. He then tells them to receive children (each other). This results in being in the arms of Jesus, and in the arms of God.
Jesus was simply an awesome teacher. He intertwined a lot in just a few verses.
A blanket statement such as everyone wants to be the greatest is not accurate. Some of us never wanted positions of power. For us, we see that desire in others but do not fully understand it because it's not in our paradigm.
Being content to serve in the background does not mean we don't want to be acknowledged for our service, but it means that we don't feel the need to be considered at a higher level of society than the next guy.
In the 1970s a song that was popular at Christian summer camps was one called
Teach us to Love. It's a song that's also a prayer about loving others.
As a lonely child, growing up, I never wanted to be better than anyone else, I just wanted to feel loved and cared for.
Be the greatest! Be the greatest at caring for all of those around you, and if you have to be rewarded, think of the storehouse in heaven where every good deed is noted in detail.
I agree, there are exceptions, but I think what the lesson is trying to say is that it is easy to want recognition, which isn't so different from being the greatest. It's a good idea to assess ourselves regularly as we may not notice our own strivings.
I have seen people in "serving" positions that are behind the scenes get upset when that position is taken from them. Isn't that wanting to be the greatest? They might not want to speak up front, but that doesn't mean their attitudes are that different. It's a good idea to reflect on these things.
How frustrating it must have been for Jesus in teaching His disciples. Like teaching children in Primary Sabbath School, which actually could have been more productive. LOL! He is desperately trying to prepare them for what He knows is coming, the cross, but also the resurrection. The disciples can't process it so they ignore it. They were so focused on and desiring of an earthly kingdom that couldn't imagine anything else. They were probably arguing over whom had been following Jesus the longest, who Jesus called first. Those people should have rank and seniority in their minds, they probably thought. Their idyllic little "snow globes" were about to be shattered by a shocking reality that they weren't prepared for.
I'm actually surprised that Jesus didn't straight on call them out on their wrong presupposition. He did however correct them on their wrong attitude of leadership. Contrasting and conflicting kingdoms were about to clash. The kingdom of earth with it's values and protocols versus the Kingdom of Heaven and it's contrasting values and protocols. Jesus knew that His disciples weren't ready to lead, yet He knew that He was running out of time to teach them. What they failed to grasp in times of peace they would in the coming times of adversity. He so wanted them ready for the "Great Disappointment" which would soon engulf them.
Jesus bore long with His failing students. Thankfully He still does today. He isn't the type of teacher who simply moves his students on, to move on from them. No, Jesus won't graduate His students until they at last get the lesson, and receive their "Master's degree" from Him.
It's been said that "life is a school". Indeed it is true. I'm still working on my "Masters Degree". How about you?
I want to share some further thoughts. The good news is that after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the disciples finally learned the lesson of who is the greatest. It ends by noting that they were of one accord!
Read Peter's sermon in Acts 2;14-47. It is full of joy. "To God be the Glory, great things He had done. So loved He the World, that He gave us His Son."
Maurice, Paulette and Kay, thank you for your wonderful reply of Jesus's teaching about how humility should be playing out in this scenario for believers as well! I have to admit that children can bring out the best or worst in us as christians depending upon how we respond to certain situations! In the times that we live in now, we understand that life's not easy! It wasn't easy for the disciples then, and it will not get any better now! Competition should not have a role in the christian life if it means to be first! It's human to strive to be the best but from what perspective? From the world's view, no because if so it would defeat humility in tha christian character! I look back sometimes and have seen myself acting as questionable as the disciples then and now I see life in a different pair of lenses and I can appreciate life's struggles because it helps me to see where I am, still at the foot of the cross! Lord help me to be a servant by heart as well as by my motives even when I say "why"! Thank you all for bringing this important point out!
That we should be, like unto a child. To be the greatest.
Mark 9:35 - ” … “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” After reading this declaration by Jesus, it occurred to me that He finds no fault with the desire of His apostles to want to be ‘great/first’. The question becomes: ‘what is considered when being ‘great’ or 'first? Jesus points out that this is a question of character - how does one receive ‘one of these little children in His name’?
We have been given a new nature. To me, Jesus' example suggests that one ought not to consider anyone to be beneath one’s own human ‘dignity’; treating everyone with equal respect; children included. He points out that 'greatness' is being willing to humble oneself and become as a little child - accepting that, as God's children, we do not seek recognition using worldly standards - Matt. 18:1-3.
Not to esteem oneself more important than a child will go a long way when considering one’s motives - one’s self-less interest when interacting with others. Children, given genuine respect and attention, cannot 'repay' by responding with worldly ‘goods’ - elevated status. They will respond with appreciation, respect, and readiness to accept us as their friend, teacher, and role model. I believe to be humble in heart and conduct will be considered to be ‘great/first’ in heaven.
Lord help me to wash feet as you did ,not to be seen by men but to follow your ways.
Help me pray for my two children _Sophie and Andry who ate sick to get well.
Simply, who is the greatest?
1. Whoever does not turn a child away. Whomever says to a child, come sit on my lap and let me tell you a story about the One who gives eternal life.
2. Whomever gives a cup or two of water in Christ name. Now I do believe that it could be a spiritual cup of water, ya know, the everlasting water that comes from God of which Christ gives freely to those who will drink of it.
Mark 9:30-41.
John 4:7-26.
The kingdom of God is contrary to the kingdom of this world
The kingdom of heaven is the reverse of most of us think....'Serving others more than self'