May 17


The Greatest
Mark 9:33-37


The events of the preceding weeks have given rise to an argument among the disciples.  It's a natural thing for a group to seek out its leader from within, but this group already has its leader--Jesus Christ.  It needs no other.
The disciples know it.  They carry out their dispute on the road, and are ashamed to bring it to Jesus.  But he knows their thoughts and words.  He also knows that wherever the spirit of pride lives, the Holy Spirit cannot live.  It is this lesson that he must teach them now.
He does this with a visual lesson.  It there anything on earth more lovable than a baby?  (At least when it's quiet?)  Jesus picks up an infant and uses the child as an example, turning their hearts with natural affection to the things of God.

  • The child is not "ambitious."  Indeed, an infant has no real conception of what it might mean to be ambitious.  Here is our right attitude:  not that I won't be first, but that I won't care about it.  Wherever God places me is where I want to be.
  • The child looks to its parents in all things.  Its first reaction to want or fear is to turn to father or mother.  So too should we;  our first place of refuge in want or fear should be our heavenly father.
  • The child, in innocence, portrays purity to us.  Things like lust, greed, pride and envy should have no part in our character.
But Jesus goes on from this.  He tells us that to receive such a person is to receive him.  Such a person has the spirit of Christ, and therefore to welcome such is to welcome Christ.  Parents understand that;  to aid my children is to do me a favor.  Indeed, Jesus tells us here that it is not only a favor to Him, but to God the Father as well.  Not only should we commit ourselves to learning humility, then, we should welcome and honor those who have achieved it in Christ's name.
Our time has seen a sad decline in humility.  Abraham Lincoln was offered congratulations on his election;  he replied by asking for their prayers.  Today a presidential victor would be afraid to say such a thing, for fear of being sued, no doubt.  And if he did we would not believe it genuine.  We have declined most sadly.  We have forgotten the truth of the saying that to want to be first in place is to become last in character.