June 1, 2016
WHO IS THE GREATEST?
Mark 9:30–41
Ann Silva
Central Truth
When we put others first, something great happens to our hearts. Serving others puts us on the road to greatness.
Key Verse | Mark 9:35
And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." (Mark 9:35)
Mark 9:30–41
Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection
30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
Who Is the Greatest?
33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, 1 9:38 Some manuscripts add who does not follow us and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.
Dive Deeper | Mark 9:30–41
As I read about the 12 disciples arguing about who is the greatest, I am dumbfounded. Aren’t these the men whom Jesus hand-selected to be His closest companions? Most of them would later die horrific deaths because they would not stop preaching the gospel. And there they are, squabbling about who is the greatest among them? I love how the Lord shows us that these men weren't super human Marvel characters. They were just like you and me, wanting the world to see their value, their significance. Jesus then makes His point by bringing a child into the circle and saying, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (Verse 37) Why is He talking about this child? The child represents the weak, the needy, the helpless—those who cannot do anything for you in return.
Every morning, I pray that God will give me a spiritual heart transplant. “Lord, please give me a heart like Yours. I want to care about the things that You care about. I want to care about the people You care about.” This world tells me quite the opposite. We are constantly encouraged to be on social media. So much time is spent focusing on ourselves—our looks, our homes, our cars, our education, and our careers. The Lord asks us to take the focus off of ourselves and put it onto others. I am called, not only to be last, but to be servant of all. I don’t know about you, but that is a whole lot of dying to myself! But that is what He tells me to do if I want to be great. How amazing that we don’t have to wonder, He clearly tells us.
In the end, 11 of the disciples proved to be great, not because they were wealthy, well known, highly educated, or had super human strength. It was because they became servants for Christ. “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Verse 35b)
Discussion Questions
1. How do you become great? Is it just an action or an attitude as well? Read Matthew 22:37 and Mark 10:45.
2. What can you do to engage your heart to love others more than yourself? Read Psalm 119:11 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18.
3. Whom can you serve this week? A family member? A co-worker? A friend? The needy? The poor? The fatherless? Read James 1:27.