Mark 9:33-41 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Mark 9:33-41. Let’s go!
Mark 9:33-34 (NIV)
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?”
34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
On verses 33-34: How silly it was for the disciples to be arguing about who among them was the greatest, when in fact the greatest one by far was with them but not part of the conversation. It’s like if Wayne Gretzky were to play with a bunch of grade school children and find them arguing about who is the greatest player among them, all the while forgetting that the greatest of all time was in their midst.
As silly as that sounds, I can fall into that same trap. I can start obsessing over how I compare to my peers, consumed by thoughts about my own greatness – my reputation, my fame, my glory – and completely forget that the only truly great one, Jesus Christ, is right there before me and is the one who deserves the attention. When I start to focus on my own “greatness”, I miss the point because it’s not about me; it’s about Jesus.
Earlier in Mark 9 Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself…” I’m learning that a big part of denying yourself is ceasing to focus on your own perceived “greatness” and focusing on Jesus’ greatness.
Mark 9:35 (NIV)
35 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.”
On verse 35: Despite how silly it was for the disciples to argue about who was the greatest, Jesus gives them some valuable advice: if you really want to be great, be a servant. Be someone who sets aside his own needs to serve others. That’s in fact what made Jesus as great as He is. True greatness is about serving others with humility.
Mark 9:36-37 (NIV)
36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,
37 “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.”
On verses 36-37: For parents of young children, for Sunday school teachers, for child educators, for those who spend time taking care of those who are weak and vulnerable, remember this: when you welcome a child and make him or her feel loved, valued, accepted, and included, you welcome Jesus and touch Jesus’ heart. Your ministry to children matters so much to God that God takes it personally. So when you serve that child today, see yourself as serving Jesus.
It’s crazy that Jesus – i.e. God – would identify more with the small, the weak and the vulnerable than he would with the great, the strong, and the influential. That’s the incredible, humble, compassionate heart of God.
Mark 9:38-41 (NIV)
38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me,
40 for whoever is not against us is for us.
41 I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
On verses 38-41: Yesterday my son Bradley and I were talking about how Thrive Church is really one part of a much bigger Church that Jesus is building, and that other churches in our city and around the world are not our competitors but our partners. They might not have the same style, the same culture or speak the same language, but we’re serving the same Lord. His name is Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times when I’m so focused on my own greatness, when the truly Great One among us is You. How silly it is for me to obsess over my own greatness, or envy other people’s greatness, when You the true Great One have been here all along. I turn from that silliness and praise Your greatness now. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
