Mark 9:33-37

Mark 9:33-37 English Standard Version (ESV)

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.”

Personal Insights

It seems like the disciples always give Jesus an opportunity to teach them something more about Himself and the way to live a Godly life. There was an element of shame when Jesus asked what they were arguing about. Even Peter who is normally quick to speak was silent.

Jesus used this time as an occasion to teach them another aspect to Kingdom living and not worldly living. The question they were arguing about was “who was the greatest?” Jesus turns the world’s values on their head. He said in order for you to be first you must be the last and the servant of all. When we think of the word servant a number of images are conjured up in our minds. Jesus gave us the perfect example of being a servant. He not only spoke about being a servant but lived it out perfectly.

In case the disciples (or you and I) didn’t quite get His point with words He gave us a visual demonstration by taking a child into his arms. Many of us have heard the phrase “Children should be seen and not heard” but Jesus shows how important even a little child is to him. One Pastor (Guzik) compared the previous verses on how the devil used and afflicted a child and here we see the contrast of how Jesus treated them.

In Isaiah 2 it talks about what happens to arrogant people (2:11, 2:17). They will be humbled and the pride of men brought low. Three Hebrew root words of arrogance describe it as self- importance that leads to rebellion, an overwhelming self confidence that leads to insensitivity towards others and the last one is self-importance in general. The cure for arrogance is also found in these verses. We are to exalt the Lord alone. He is the one that is worthy.  We need to turn the focus of ourselves and onto Jesus.

The disciples had a lot to learn about servanthood as do we. However, if we study the life of Jesus we see the perfect example of how it can be done. May we be challenged today to live a life in contrast to what the world holds dear.