Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time Mark 9:30-37
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time
30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. 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. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” 36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child 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.”
Reflection:
As Jesus makes another run through Galilee, he decides to spend time with the disciples to further explain the purpose of his mission, which would lead him to be crucified by men and then be raised from the dead by God. Notice Jesus never mentions his death without reference to his subsequent resurrection. What man wanted for evil God uses for good. And hopefully this would give the disciples some consolation as well. But the disciples still don't understand what this meant and were afraid to ask about it. Perhaps they didn't want to know the answer, or were fearful that Jesus would rebuke them. Whatever the case this somehow led to a discussion about who would be the greatest. This leads us to believe they continued to misunderstand the nature of Christ's kingdom, which he had been teaching them all along.
So Jesus decides to clarify the nature of true greatness. According to Jesus true greatness is not related to pride, position, possessions or privileges. True greatness comes from character qualities such as humility, love, trust and a willingness to serve without regard for personal gain. This is a completely counter cultural teaching for the disciples in their day, as it is for us today. To further illustrate his point, as Jesus was fond of doing, he gave them an object lesson (preachers and teachers take note!). He picked up a child and said, "whoever welcomes this child welcomes me!" Jesus use a child who had virtually no power or rights and equated treating him well with welcoming him and the Father. In other passages Jesus uplifts child-like faith. A child has no pride of ambition, and he uplifts these virtues for his disciples to emulate. And, of course, Jesus exemplifies these qualities as one who came not to be served, but to give his life as a ransom for many.
We live in a culture where pastors and other Christian leaders are lifted up as celebrities. And some of them truly do have hearts to serve as Jesus did. But I just read of one mega church pastor who was asked to step down presumably because some of the qualities Jesus uplifted today were glaringly absent to those he was accountable to and led. I mention this not to judge this pastor, but it is a reminder that pride cometh before a fall. Some signs that we are moving into pride versus the servant leadership Jesus teaches and exemplifies are:
1. We start to get more concerned of our approval ratings rather than God's view of us.
2. We are extremely sensitive to criticism with thoughts of, "how dare they insult me!" Or worse yet, "don't they know who they are taking to?"
3. We seek more to be right than to understand other points of view.
4. We are quick to anger and slow to listen.
5. We are jealous of others and are glad when they fail, rather than praying for them and the success of their ministry. I.e. We are more interested in the God's kingdom rather than our kingdoms.
These are just a few, I'm sure you could add more of your own. These probably came easy for me as I have probably experienced all of them in my 20 years of ministry. In my finer moments I seek to serve, in my weaker moments I seek to be served. How about you? What areas of pridefulness could you add to the list? Let's pray that we might have the same attitude as Jesus, who did not consider equality with God as something to hold on to, but emptied himself and became a servant, even until his death on the cross.
Jesus, you have given us an example for true greatness. As we begin our day today, help us to die to selfish ambition and pride today, in whatever ways it presents itself. As we follow your example we know we invite you into our lives and welcome others as well. Amen.
30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. 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. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” 36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child 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.”
Reflection:
As Jesus makes another run through Galilee, he decides to spend time with the disciples to further explain the purpose of his mission, which would lead him to be crucified by men and then be raised from the dead by God. Notice Jesus never mentions his death without reference to his subsequent resurrection. What man wanted for evil God uses for good. And hopefully this would give the disciples some consolation as well. But the disciples still don't understand what this meant and were afraid to ask about it. Perhaps they didn't want to know the answer, or were fearful that Jesus would rebuke them. Whatever the case this somehow led to a discussion about who would be the greatest. This leads us to believe they continued to misunderstand the nature of Christ's kingdom, which he had been teaching them all along.
So Jesus decides to clarify the nature of true greatness. According to Jesus true greatness is not related to pride, position, possessions or privileges. True greatness comes from character qualities such as humility, love, trust and a willingness to serve without regard for personal gain. This is a completely counter cultural teaching for the disciples in their day, as it is for us today. To further illustrate his point, as Jesus was fond of doing, he gave them an object lesson (preachers and teachers take note!). He picked up a child and said, "whoever welcomes this child welcomes me!" Jesus use a child who had virtually no power or rights and equated treating him well with welcoming him and the Father. In other passages Jesus uplifts child-like faith. A child has no pride of ambition, and he uplifts these virtues for his disciples to emulate. And, of course, Jesus exemplifies these qualities as one who came not to be served, but to give his life as a ransom for many.
We live in a culture where pastors and other Christian leaders are lifted up as celebrities. And some of them truly do have hearts to serve as Jesus did. But I just read of one mega church pastor who was asked to step down presumably because some of the qualities Jesus uplifted today were glaringly absent to those he was accountable to and led. I mention this not to judge this pastor, but it is a reminder that pride cometh before a fall. Some signs that we are moving into pride versus the servant leadership Jesus teaches and exemplifies are:
1. We start to get more concerned of our approval ratings rather than God's view of us.
2. We are extremely sensitive to criticism with thoughts of, "how dare they insult me!" Or worse yet, "don't they know who they are taking to?"
3. We seek more to be right than to understand other points of view.
4. We are quick to anger and slow to listen.
5. We are jealous of others and are glad when they fail, rather than praying for them and the success of their ministry. I.e. We are more interested in the God's kingdom rather than our kingdoms.
These are just a few, I'm sure you could add more of your own. These probably came easy for me as I have probably experienced all of them in my 20 years of ministry. In my finer moments I seek to serve, in my weaker moments I seek to be served. How about you? What areas of pridefulness could you add to the list? Let's pray that we might have the same attitude as Jesus, who did not consider equality with God as something to hold on to, but emptied himself and became a servant, even until his death on the cross.
Jesus, you have given us an example for true greatness. As we begin our day today, help us to die to selfish ambition and pride today, in whatever ways it presents itself. As we follow your example we know we invite you into our lives and welcome others as well. Amen.
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