The Word This Week
Mark 9:30…
It is interesting Jesus told them He was going to Jerusalem to suffer and die – and be raised the third day - just prior to His transfiguration, and then He repeated that same message just after His transfiguration.
What point is He attempting to drive home?
What are His disciples hearing? Are they beginning to finally get the message He is not going to be with them much longer?
They seem now to be making plans to replace Jesus as the leader of the twelve once He is gone…
Even after their humiliation in the face of the scribes and the crowds over their inability to drive the demon out of the boy – they begin to argue among themselves about who will be the greatest among them. Of course, in deference to Jesus they are keeping this argument to themselves. (No one wants to be exposed arguing about who the new boss will be while the old boss is still present.)
But perhaps they thought it prudent to begin to make plans in the event what Jesus is saying is true.
Apparently, it got kind of contentious.
Contentious enough to draw Jesus’ attention – and for Him to ask them what they were arguing about – even though He already knew.
He set a child before them, as an example of what Christian leadership is about. It is not about who is greatest, but who is least. To argue about who is greatest, or that ‘I am greatest’ is disqualifying. A child is not accomplished and does not regard themself as being capable or qualified. A child is totally dependent upon their father to be allowed to do anything – and therefore to accomplish anything.
The same pride among the disciples made evident in their going toe-to-toe with the scribes arguing about theology making them poor witnesses for Christ and unable to accomplish ministry is still rife in the Church today. We can be so right we are wrong, and so wrong we are incapable.
As Jesus alluded to, by prayer and fasting we realize we are but children in God’s eyes – and therefore useful for His kingdom.
Pastor Bill
It is interesting Jesus told them He was going to Jerusalem to suffer and die – and be raised the third day - just prior to His transfiguration, and then He repeated that same message just after His transfiguration.
What point is He attempting to drive home?
What are His disciples hearing? Are they beginning to finally get the message He is not going to be with them much longer?
They seem now to be making plans to replace Jesus as the leader of the twelve once He is gone…
Even after their humiliation in the face of the scribes and the crowds over their inability to drive the demon out of the boy – they begin to argue among themselves about who will be the greatest among them. Of course, in deference to Jesus they are keeping this argument to themselves. (No one wants to be exposed arguing about who the new boss will be while the old boss is still present.)
But perhaps they thought it prudent to begin to make plans in the event what Jesus is saying is true.
Apparently, it got kind of contentious.
Contentious enough to draw Jesus’ attention – and for Him to ask them what they were arguing about – even though He already knew.
He set a child before them, as an example of what Christian leadership is about. It is not about who is greatest, but who is least. To argue about who is greatest, or that ‘I am greatest’ is disqualifying. A child is not accomplished and does not regard themself as being capable or qualified. A child is totally dependent upon their father to be allowed to do anything – and therefore to accomplish anything.
The same pride among the disciples made evident in their going toe-to-toe with the scribes arguing about theology making them poor witnesses for Christ and unable to accomplish ministry is still rife in the Church today. We can be so right we are wrong, and so wrong we are incapable.
As Jesus alluded to, by prayer and fasting we realize we are but children in God’s eyes – and therefore useful for His kingdom.
Pastor Bill