Scripture:
Mark 9:33-37 NKJV
[33] Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house, He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” [34] But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. [35] And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” [36] Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, [37] “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”
Observation:
I know I have explained how I get to the point of what I’m going to write about every morning. Sometimes, it takes a little longer than others. I pray first thing before my feet hit the ground, and then I listen for the Holy Spirit to tell me where to go. So here we are, Jesus had gathered a rag-tag group of men who had probably never been a part of anything important in their entire lives. Fishermen tax collectors and others whom society had more than likely considered outcasts as they were walking to Capernaum. They had disputed who would be the greatest in the kingdom. As I think about this, I can almost hear Matthew saying… I’m good with numbers. There’s no doubt in my mind that HE is going to have me in a powerful position. With all the riches in heaven, someone is going to have to keep track, and I don’t see you fishermen doing it. You can’t even be honest about how big of a fish you caught. Only to hear Peter fire back… do you really think the LORD of Glory is going to let a weak geeky bookworm like you lead in heaven I have been dragging nets all my life I’m strong and smart, not to mention HE called me first. I am clearly going to be the greatest. As the conversation went on, Jesus was just listening, taking it all in. Waiting to get to a spot where HE could sit down and teach them a little bit. Their pride was in the way of doing anything great for the kingdom. Arguing over who is going to be the greatest probably wasn’t the best idea. But they had never been a part of anything great before, and this was all new to them. As they watched Jesus the way HE loved the way HE taught, how HE healed others. They knew they were a part of something big, and they wanted to be right at the front of the pack when this train hit town. They didn’t realize that’s not how the kingdom of heaven works. Once they had gotten into town. Jesus knew it was time to change the way they had been thinking. Sitting down HE brought the conversation back to their minds by asking what exactly they had been discussing with such passion as to raise their voices to one another. Again, just like the vision of Peter and Matthew, I could see their egos deflate as Jesus starts to teach them. It’s not about a position it’s about or a lable it’s about your heart. If you are looking to lead, you must learn how to follow. Pulling a little child to HIM as an illustration of what HE was teaching them, HE says if you receive this child, you receive me. I’m sure the disciples started to think. Look at how immature we are. This child is following in awe and wonder, and we are arguing over who is going to be the greatest. As their ego was completely melted away, and they realized how none of this was about them, their hearts became plyable, and they were able to receive what HE was saying and, as the result, able to see that it’s not about them at all.
Application:
I remember as a kid, and even in my adult years, being in competition with those around me. Sitting on the back of the bus to school, disputing over who’s dad was tuffer and could beat up the other boys dad. To later on in life, who could out life who. As a man, it always seemed to be about who is the greatest. It’s kind of how our society is built. Not only do we put people in those positions, but in our own circles, we are in competition with those around us. Trying to be the best just to be the best and completely missing the point. I remember wrestling shows and ego so thick you could cut it with a knife and serve it like cake. Today, my life has changed. I’m OK with the backseat. I don’t need to be somebody. Position is not important to me. In fact, I’m just I’m awe and wonder over what Jesus has done in my life. I’m not looking for any kind of recognition or fighting for any kind of position. I’m just alright with who GOD has made me to be. If HE wants to elevate me, HE will it’s not about me, nor is it up to me. I see how people who are anxious to be where they think they deserve to be. Have this selfish ambition. Stepping on others rather than loving their neighbor. The day I realized that this life is not all about me. Was the day I got set free from having to be somebody. In the wrestling world, everyone is fighting to be noticed. Your ability and presentation of who you are is so important. Today, I don’t want to reflect me. Being put in the Crucible of life, I want to be a reflection of the one whose image I bear. If you are one who is looking for a position and stepping on others to get to where you think you deserve to be. Let me tell you exactly where we all deserve to be… our backs flat on 2 pieces of wood after being beaten to the extent that our own mom doesn’t recognize us, with 3 nails, 2 through our hands, and 1 through both feet. That’s the position we deserve, and the one who took that position for us is the greatest in heaven and always will be. This life, this world, what I write this morning. It’s just not about me. I want to elevate the name of the one who took my position. The one who gave HIS life for me, and I hope that after reading this, we will all step back and humble ourselves. Knowing that it’s all about the KING of KINGS kings and the LORD of LORDS.
Prayer:
Father, as we pray this morning, we are reminded how truly great you are. You have chosen us to be part of your family. You have adopted us in. But it’s not about us it’s about what you have done. You took the position of a humble servant. To show us how to approach this life. I pray this morning that we will continue to be in awe and wonder over who you are. Forgetting about anything that tries to tell us it’s about something we have done. You laid upon your back the strips that healed us and bound yourself to the cross with the nails we deserved. The very most we could ask for in all of this is to be your hand and feet. The very part of you that we pierced. What an amazing love you showed for people whom you knew what be fighting for personal influence rather than to influence the world with your love. Let us not step on our neighbors but elevate them. Help us to lift others up rather than to push them out of the way. You have a plan for all humanity. Not just one or two. Let us live our lives in a manner that brings you glory and not ourselves it’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray, amen