Who is the Greatest?

Little ones

Jesus teaches all that He must suffer and die at the hands of humans. “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mk 9:31). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. The very next verse describes the condition of the world though. 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mk 9:32). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. We are continually being taught by Jesus about tomorrow, about what is to come and what will happen, and yet we tend to be lost. Why do you suppose they did not understand? 1. I think it is hard to imagine after the miracles that Jesus has performed that anyone in this world could hand him over to the people who meant him great harm. 2. How could the Son of Man be killed?

Then the story takes a shift and one could get confused at this moment about how this shift came about.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

Who Is the Greatest?

The Disciples actually cause this discussion on the journey to Capernaum. It has been argued that Mark puts this argument in the passage where it is not because it chronologically happened this way, but because it makes his point.

What is the point that Mark is trying to get across? 1. Jesus has just told his Disciples that his life is nearing the end and that his body will be handed over to those who would have him killed. The Disciples are arguing about who is the greatest among them. 33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them,

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mk 9:33). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

What were you discussing on the way?”

This question reminds me of creation when God asked Adam and Eve where they were. 9 But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ge 3:9). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. You know God knows where they are but He asks them anyway. Jesus knows that the Disciples have been discussing their greatness and yet he asks them. This question suggests that Jesus does not rebuke them for their conversation, but uses it as a moment to teach them about greatness.

IN the previous passage Jesus discusses his death and resurrection, and t the Disciples fail to understand that what Jesus does describes greatness. The Disciples define life by human standards; Jesus describes greatness through weakness. Notice also that the Disciples remain silent when asked the question. This shows that Jesus already knew what they were discussing. 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.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mk 9:34–35). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

During this time children were always silent and kept away from the adult discussions. You could say they were second class. The women and children were silent. So knowing what we know about children in the time Jesus shocks his followers with what he does next. 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.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mk 9:36–37). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.