BE THE LAST AND SERVANT OF ALL

Mark 9:30-41 / Keywords 9:35

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

 

9:30 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.”

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us

38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

Footnotes

a. Mark 9:29 Some manuscripts prayer and fasting

1. Jesus passed through Galilee, so that he could get away from the crowds and spend time alone with his disciples. Jesus predicted a second time that he would die at the hands of wicked men and be resurrected after 3 days. Yet the disciples did not really understand him.

 

2. Later, Jesus disclosed that he knew that on the road, they had been arguing about who would be the greatest disciple. He taught them that to be the first, one must be the last and the servant of all. We all need Jesus’ reminder to let go of our pride and be the last and the servant of all. Then, we can reach new believers and expand God’s kingdom. Our position in the church should be secondary.

 

3. As a perfect example, Jesus welcomed a little child in his arms and told them that whoever welcomes a little child welcomes him. He also stopped the disciples from hindering others who were driving out evil spirits in his name, for they are on the same side spiritually. Jesus reminds us that whatever we do to humble ourselves to embrace and serve others, we do for Him and his kingdom.

 

Prayer Lord, forgive my pride. Help me to be the last and servant of all and welcome others into your kingdom.

One Word Be the last and servant of all – like Jesus