Dearest e-votees,
This week we get another prediction from Jesus about the way of the cross. No one rebukes him this week, perhaps they learned from Peter's exchange last week. But Jesus shows them a way very different from the world to be "the greatest".
Peace,
Karl
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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.”
Mark 9:30-37, NRSV
Jesus calls on his disciples asking them what they were arguing about as they walked. They chose to keep it to themselves since they were busy trying to decide which of them was the best disciple--and probably arguing in their own favor. We're like them aren't we? We want to be a great disciple. We hope we are a great disciple. When we look at others we see their flaws quite clearly and look over our own. I'm pretty sure Jesus was talking to us, as well, when he taught about taking the plank out of your own eye before taking the speck out of the eye of another. We are just as prone to wrongly argue about which disciples are the greatest.
Jesus goes on later in John to show the disciples and us the true example of a servant. When he was at the Passover meal with his disciples just before he was to be betrayed, arrested, condemned and crucified he got up from the meal. He took a basin and a towel and washed the feet of all who were present--the denier and the betrayer and all the rest. Were we there he would have certainly washed our feet as well. In spite of our self-promotion and judgment of others--probably precisely because of those--he breaks through with an example of humility, service and sacrifice.
We want to be big and important and full of prestige. Jesus takes a little one--one who is small and not so important and not so full of prestige--and says that if we want to engage and welcome Jesus it is through engaging and welcoming one such as this. We are noticed and regarded not so much for what we do but for who we lavish notice and recognition upon. We find ourselves and our place by losing ourselves, finding others and giving them their proper place. It isn't how the world does it but perhaps that is precisely the point.
God, thank you for making us your children. Help us recognize, welcome, affirm and honor all of your children. Amen.
This week we get another prediction from Jesus about the way of the cross. No one rebukes him this week, perhaps they learned from Peter's exchange last week. But Jesus shows them a way very different from the world to be "the greatest".
Peace,
Karl
------------
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.”
Jesus calls on his disciples asking them what they were arguing about as they walked. They chose to keep it to themselves since they were busy trying to decide which of them was the best disciple--and probably arguing in their own favor. We're like them aren't we? We want to be a great disciple. We hope we are a great disciple. When we look at others we see their flaws quite clearly and look over our own. I'm pretty sure Jesus was talking to us, as well, when he taught about taking the plank out of your own eye before taking the speck out of the eye of another. We are just as prone to wrongly argue about which disciples are the greatest.
Jesus goes on later in John to show the disciples and us the true example of a servant. When he was at the Passover meal with his disciples just before he was to be betrayed, arrested, condemned and crucified he got up from the meal. He took a basin and a towel and washed the feet of all who were present--the denier and the betrayer and all the rest. Were we there he would have certainly washed our feet as well. In spite of our self-promotion and judgment of others--probably precisely because of those--he breaks through with an example of humility, service and sacrifice.
We want to be big and important and full of prestige. Jesus takes a little one--one who is small and not so important and not so full of prestige--and says that if we want to engage and welcome Jesus it is through engaging and welcoming one such as this. We are noticed and regarded not so much for what we do but for who we lavish notice and recognition upon. We find ourselves and our place by losing ourselves, finding others and giving them their proper place. It isn't how the world does it but perhaps that is precisely the point.
God, thank you for making us your children. Help us recognize, welcome, affirm and honor all of your children. Amen.
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