July 10
Mark 9:33-50
I don’t really understand why some days we have just a couple of verses to read, while today we have several verses with so much content packed in! There are a lot of things we can learn from these verses, but the main theme running throughout is that in order to be great we need to humble ourselves. I laughed out loud when I read the part about the disciples arguing about who was the greatest. It is just proof that the men following Jesus were sinful and prideful humans. Jesus, knowing what they had been discussing, tells them the true way to be great. “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (vs. 35b NIV) No one who is thinking, “What can I do to be great?” will ever be great. Jesus goes on to say, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me.” (vs. 37a NIV) In order to be great, we must care about all of God’s people, even the seemingly insignificant ones. It is wonderful to be friends with a pastor or religious leader, but not if you’re doing it to make yourself seem more important. Being great in the business word may sometimes depend on what big-wigs you rub shoulders with, but being great in the eyes of God doesn’t! We need to humble ourselves, be servants to God’s people, and get rid of the things that are hindering us from spiritual growth. (Good news- You don’t literally have to poke out your eye!)
Principle: True greatness is in serving not self-seeking.
Application:
1. What area of my life do I need to stop seeking power and start serving others?
2. How can I encourage rather than criticize someone who is doing his service to the Lord differently than I would?
3. What is God asking me to cut out of my life in order to avoid causing myself or others to sin?
The part of this passage that spoke to me was the part of causing others to sin. This hits question 3. Does my life truly reflect Jesus, are there little things that I do or say that may cause others to stumble? Yes, I need to be more aware of things that I say and how I act. When some offends me instead of getting upset I will pray for them and my anger. I do not want to cause others in Christ to stumble because of my sin.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to post to see what happens, because a few people have had trouble with it today.... I don't know what is wrong. I'll try to figure it out.
ReplyDeleteThis passage reminds me that God calls us to follow even when we don't understand. I like to have everything figured out. I want the answered. But the disciples followed even when part of Jesus' teaching remained a mystery. Lord, help me to follow even when I don't fully understand.
ReplyDeleteMy comment above was what I intended to post on the previous day. Please disregard it. For this passage I want to make a comment about vs. 38-40. I have come to believe (it's been a long process) that there is too much emphasis in many churches/Christians on trying to stop what other churches/Christians who are not in "our group" are attempting to do for Christ. A better approach would be to present a more united front to the world. "Whoever is not against us is for us." Lord, help me to be less critical of those not in my faith circle.
ReplyDelete