Whoever receives one of these children in my name, receives me.
Mark 9:30-37
INTRODUCTION: The Competition for who is greatest begins. March Madness: the NCAA Basketball Tournament begins the 17th, TV Sweeps, Dancing With Stars..*
The need for greatness starts early in life.
Despite trying to eliminate "competition" from educational events, "not keeping score etc." so that some children will not feel badly about themselves, "competition" is prevalent. Why? "So that one is noticed, not picked on, nor left out."
Search engines on the Internet: Google is # 1 Microsoft launched its own search engine with the goal of knocking Google out of the #1 position. Nothing wrong in being # 1.
Jesus accepts that desire and teaches what it really takes for true greatness. Mk 9:30ff
Jesus, aware of what the disciples were discussing, took it seriously and dealt with it. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve taught them what greatness was, which was in stark contrast to the greatness around them and us.
Three Observations:
I. The disciples were arguing among themselves.
A. The context is one of three references where Jesus predicts his death.
The closer Jesus got to his approaching death. the more frequently he warned his disciples lest there be a violent shock to their faith.
How many times did Jesus tell the disciples about going to Jerusalem? (See End)
Three times Jesus told the disciples that he was headed to Jerusalem and about his death and resurrection. Note the increased amount information Jesus gives each time.
The references are easy to remember: Mark 8:31, Mark 9:31 and Mark 10:33-34.
Read each of the scriptures. Did you notice any difference? Is betrayed. In Greek the is word paradidotai,which means traitor. Jesus could move forward with assurance is going to be betrayed, - there will no surprises when they see Suffering or Rejection.
Jesus was leaving the safety of the northern country, taking his first step towards Jerusalem and the cross.
Returning from Caesarea Philippi to Capernaum, Galilee home base, Jesus passed through this region for last time. His Ministry in Galilee ended. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples
There were times when Jesus limited his public ministry in order to train his disciples in depth. He knew the importance of equipping them to carry on, his ministry, when he returned to Heaven. He could have left a series of propositions, but Jesus knew that was not enough. His goal was to leave a band of persons on whom the propositions were written. He wanted to make sure that these disciples understood, however dimly, who he was and why he had come to earth.
B. The disciples did not understand, let alone comprehend, the significance of Jesus’ death. The disciples did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him. Mark 9:32, (Afraid of knowing more?)
Are we any different? Do we accept parts of the Bible/ Christianity which appeal to us and reject those that we don’t like.
"Nothing so well shows how far the disciples were from realizing the real meaning of Jesus’ Messiahship than this incident." William Barclay, The Gospel of Mark, p. 228
It is heart breaking thinking of Jesus Dying. The disciples may have thought,
"Jesus seems morbidity preoccupied with death." In reality it was the disciples who were wrongly preoccupied – constantly thinking about the kingdom they hoped Jesus would establish and what their roles would be in it.
Despite Jesus’ re-teaching his disciples - Mark 8:31, they failed to hear or grasp: rising from dead. They were:
1.) Still thinking about Jesus’ kingdom in earthly terms.
2.) Saw themselves as Chief Ministers of State.
3.) Sought to receive glory, meaning lording it over others.
If Jesus died, the Kingdom as they imagined, could not come. Consequently they preferred not asking him about what he had said.
They were arguing among themselves and Jesus asks What were you arguing about? They remained quiet because they had been arguing about who what the greatest. Silence of shame? Arguing in secret. The disciples were caught up in their own personal success and were embarrassed to answer Jesus question, at least not openly.
If Jesus were present ... It is not if but is present.
Do we hear and see what we are to say and do?
It painful comparing our motives with Christ’s.
The disciples argued among themselves ...
II. Jesus instructed his disciples as a Rabbi.
A. Sitting down was a sign of authority and teaching.
(Chair) in University.
It takes time to learn Deep Spiritual Truths.
Growth does not occur instantly, regardless of the quality of experience or instruction. If the disciples needed to set aside time from work periodically in order to learn from the Master, how much more do we need alternating work and learning.
B. Taking a child uses a visual illustration.
(Artist is Richard Hook)
Jesus taught to welcome children. This was a new approach in a society where children were treated as second-class citizens. It is important to respect children and teach them about Jesus. Sunday School is one place to learn about Jesus. So is the way we live.
Luke 9:48 One who is the least among you, is the greatest
Jesus taught that whoever welcomes a child, welcomes Jesus; giving a cup of cold water, in his name, to someone who is thirsty is the same as giving an offering to God, the Father. Story told by a missionary:
"She had been telling a class of African primary children about giving a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus. Sitting on the verandah of house she saw a company of native bearers enter the village square. They were carrying heavy packs. They were tired and thirsty, and sat down to rest. The men were from another tribe. If they had asked for water they would have been told to go and find it for themselves, because of the barrier between tribes. As the men sat wearily, the missionary saw tiny girls emerge from the school with pitchers of water on their heads. Shyly and fearfully they approached the tiered bearers, knelt and offered their pitchers of water. In surprise the bearers took the water and drank it, handing back the pitchers. Then suddenly the little girls took to their heals and ran to the missionary. We have given a thirsty man a drink, they said, in Jesus's name. The children took the story and the duty literally. (Ibid. p. 236)
Jesus cautions against harming or mis-teaching children or failing to care for them, it would better for them to have millstone tied around their neck and thrown into to the sea. Lasting greatness is measured by God’s standards.
What do you use in determining greatness?
III. We learn that achieving greatness means:
A. Asking not "what do I get?" but
B. Asking "what can I give? How can I use ...?"
Greatness comes not in being first but being last. Jesus does not abolish ambition. It is not wrong being industrious or ambitious. When ambition pushes obedience and service aside, it may become a sin. Pride or insecurity can cause us to overvalue position and prestige.
Jesus recreates and sublimates (purifies) ambition. Such motives can be destructive in God’s kingdom. Ambition to rule substituted for ambition to serve and advancement of Christ’s Kingdom rather than our own advancement.
Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)
It is Not how can I use the State and Society to further my own prestige and ambition. But how can I use my personal gifts and talents in serving the State?
CONCLUSION: William Barclay tells a story by O. Henry, an American master of the short story of girl arriving in Heaven. Her mother had died. Her father would come home from work and sit down and take off his jacket and open his paper and light his pipe and put his feet on the mantel place. The little girl would come in and ask him to play with her for she was lonely. He told her he was tired and to go out to the street to play. She played on the streets. The inevitable happened -- she too the streets. The years passed on and she died. The girls soul goes to heaven. Peter saw her and said to Jesus, "Master, here's a girl who was a bad lot. I suppose we send her to hell?" "No" said Jesus gently, "let her in." Then his eyes grew stern, "But look for the man who refused to play with his little girl and who sent her out to the streets and send him to Hell." (Ibid. p. 237)
Greatness is Serving others, spending time with children and giving a cup of water in Jesus' name. It living, in humility, the life to which Jesus has called us. As we continue traveling with Jesus to Jerusalem and the cross over the next weeks, let us read the three scripture passages each day and seek to comprehend that Jesus allowed himself to be arrested, falsely charged, beaten and nailed to a Roman cross, as common criminal because he loved each of us and wanted us to be freed from the power of sin. Let us also remember, he told his disciples and us that "Death would not hold him. On the third day, he would rise from the grave destroying the power of death through his resurrection."
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*Dancing With Stars, begins new season tomorrow.
Television icon Suzanne Somers, music great Patti LaBelle, football star Michael Sam and gymnast Nastia Liukin, winner of 5 Gold Metals in 2008 Olympics.
Noah Gallaway, Sergeant lost his left arm & leg in an IED.
"Shark Tank" mogul Robert Herjavec, "Hunger Games" actress Willow Shields, artist-actress Rumer Willis, Singers Redfoo and Riker Lynch will be vying to see who is the Greatest this season.
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He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. (Mark 8:31)
He was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." (Mark 9:31)
He said, "and the Son of May will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise." (Mark 10:33-34)
