Once again, Jesus has been prioritising teaching his disciples. He’s already shared so much with them, especially relating to his mission to the cross, but once again (the second prediction in Mark) Jesus warns them that he will suffer, die, and rise again. Jesus is clear: this isn’t an optional extra, but this is a necessity; it must be done. But they still don’t understand. If that wasn’t evident enough, it becomes even clearer as they are arguing amongst themselves about who was the greatest! Have they heard nothing of what Jesus had been telling them? Had their human ambitions blinded them to what God’s will was? Or was the truth just too challenging for them to take in? Perhaps it was all three! Whatever the case, the disciples have not only failed to understand what lies ahead for Jesus, but they’ve also failed to grasp what is expected of them. But Jesus is about to make things clear.

Having been arguing about who was the greatest, Jesus chimes in and asks them what they were arguing about. They’re obviously embarrassed by what has transpired so no one gives an answer to Jesus! But Jesus knows, so he sits them down and tells them that greatness for the one who follows him means that they must become the servant of all. Jesus will perfectly show us what that looks like as he goes to the cross, but we too must seek to serve in humility. That’s why Jesus tells the disciples that they should welcome a child such as the one he held in his arms. In that culture, welcoming an unknown child brought you no honour, but in Jesus’ Kingdom, welcoming a powerless child was actually a way of welcoming the one who sent Jesus! AL

Questions

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you that Jesus would willingly lay down his power and take up the cross for us. Please help us to live by your Kingdom priorities, that we may seek only that which glorifies you and not ourselves. Amen.