PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 9:33-37
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)
Among chickens, there is a pecking order… among humans too.
We want to establish ourselves in a good place, to rise up in the ranks.
It is not unhealthy to want to be valued – we were all created to be valued and loved.
But the curse of sin has twisted this into a game of ‘king of the hill’.
The disciples of Jesus were playing this game too… are we any different today?
Does the church focus on the stars, the celebrities, those who perform well?
Jesus did his best to downplay public acclaim, to stay humble and invisible.
He became the runt, in order that he might help the runts.
Children, women, outcasts, ‘sinners’… Jesus celebrated these ones!
As Jesus followers, have we set up our own pecking order?
Do we treat some people as more, and others as less… and serve the lesser ones less?
We are called to join the underdogs, to love and serve them as one of them!
Who do I need to make myself a slave to, rather than attacking or belittling them?
Who does the church need to be a servant to, instead of targeting or excluding them?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to follow you, and in humility to consider others – yes, even them – before myself.
Withholding generousity or kindness for another is like withholding a moment for God to say He loves that person: “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.” Can I see my life of service for other as genuine by really caring for everyone – especially those on the so called ‘bottom’ of our society. We hold influential and successful up and we quickly write of the street people begging at the corners for a handout. But instead can we reach out with an act of kindness instead. In that way we can welcome them. Help me Lord to look for opportunities to welcome others as I go out each day!
As far as it depends upon me, I must live at peace with all mankind. This tells me that I am a servant of the King. I need to get along with all in His name. Just look at His disciples – from all walks of life. And Jesus Himself associated with all who had need regardless of their ‘station’ in life. We are all His children and as He welcomed me, so too I need to welcome all who are His. Jesus is foremost. Others are second. Yourself/myself is last. JOY principal.
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world,
Red, and yellow, black and white.
They are precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world.