Pentecost 18 (4)
Notes
Transcript
Mark 9:30-37 (NIV)
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 betrayed 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, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." 36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him 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."
Under what circumstances do you want to be first?
I would think that you want to finish a race first.
1 Corinthians 9:24–27 (NIV84)
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
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Some people like to be able to board a plane first.
Others may want to be the first to evacuate a sinking ship.
Certain people enjoy being first in line at a meal.
We cheer for our favorite team to finish first.
Consider how many competitions award first place in pageants, art shows, fairs, etc.
What does “Me First” mean?
To make (the wellbeing, success, etc., of) someone or something the primary priority, especially over oneself or someone or something else. When you become a parent, you learn to put your children first every time.
put (someone or something) first
Put me first - Idioms by The Free Dictionary
This definition shows that putting others first is a laudable characteristic of someone with noble character. It is not always the way we act according to our sinful nature. Often we are selfish and consider meeting our own needs first and trying to be in a position to control others.
The disciples were not immune to such thinking as this account and several others in the Gospels teach us.
This account takes place not long after Jesus’ Transfiguration. You may recall that this happened not long before the events of Holy Week. Jesus teaches about what is about to happen. We look back and see exactly how this was fulfilled. The disciples; however, were not quite sure and were afraid to have it explained.
What may they have been thinking?
They understood that a big change was about to happen. Jesus would transition from being a person with a limited sphere of influence to someone whom everyone would become aware of and over whom he would have control. They may have limited their understanding to an earthly rule. Jesus’ teaching that they would rule with him may have led them to believe that they would form some sort of what we could call a Generals’ Staff or Cabinet.
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
(Above is placed before this account which is also included by Matthew) Luke records a similar argument later. He may have had to address this issue more than once or it may be placed in different spots for emphasis.
Luke 22:24–32 (NIV84) After the Lord’s Supper is instituted.
24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
17 Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, 18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19 and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!” 20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” 22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. 23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” 24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
We know they were arguing but we don’t know exactly what was being said. It may have gone something like this.
Peter. I should be the top person because I’m not afraid to speak my mind and I would never disown Jesus. I’m very, very loyal.
Judas Iscariot. I should be in charge of the treasury because I’ve been handling the money the past three years and I would never extort money from it . . .
John. Everybody knows that Jesus loves me the most. I should be his closest advisors.
James. Mom says I should be equal to you and she is going to talk to Jesus about it.
At the heart of this argument was the selfish desire to be better than others and to have more power and responsibility. It did NOT consider the needs and wants of their fellow disciples and others who followed Jesus. This is the opposite of what Jesus had been doing in his ministry and teaching of God’s Word.
Mark The Disciples Argue About Who Would Be the Greatest / 9:33–37 / 115
IT’S YOUR SERVE
Serving others is real leadership. Jesus described leadership from a new perspective. Instead of using people, we are to serve them. Jesus’ mission was to serve others and to give his life away. A real leader has a servant’s heart. Servant leaders appreciate others’ worth and realize that they’re not above any job. If you see something that needs to be done, don’t wait to be asked. Take the initiative and do it like a faithful servant. Don’t approach life expecting high positions, honors, and special privileges. Look instead for ways to help others.
How did Jesus show his humility?
How would submit himself?
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Application: Jesus does NOT teach us to be door mats or to let others run rough shod over us. Instead, he teaches us to look at the situations we are in through the eyes of a willing servant. Instead of demanding to have our own way, how can we use our gifts and abilities to help our neighbor improve and how can we use our wisdom and strength to defend them. It is called cooperation and concern for others.
Earlier, in the definition of “Me first” it was said that parents put the needs of their children first. How often haven’t parents denied themselves luxuries so that they could fund their children’s education? How many evenings do parents give up so they can watch their “future hall of famer” play T-ball. How many hours of listening to Billy or Susie do mom and dad endure as they practice their musical instrument realizing that they will need a lot of practice to be perfect?
Instead of asking “What’s in it for me?” We do well to offer “How can I help?”
Were Jesus’ words accepted? Did the disciples learn to put others first in their love for God and their fellow man? History shows the many charitable acts Christians have done by putting themselves last so that others can be first.
9:35 Serving others is real leadership. Jesus described leadership from a new perspective. Instead of using people, we are to serve them. Jesus’ mission was to serve others and to give his life away. A real leader has a servant’s heart. Servant leaders appreciate others’ worth and realize that they’re not above any job. If you see something that needs to be done, don’t wait to be asked; take the initiative and do it like a faithful servant. Don’t approach life expecting high positions, honors, and special privileges. Look instead for ways to help others.
9:36, 37 Jesus taught the disciples to welcome children. This was a new approach in a society where children were usually treated as second-class citizens. It is important not only to treat children well but also to teach them about Jesus. Children’s ministries should never be regarded as less important than those for adults.
Life Application Bible Notes. (2007). (p. 1640). Tyndale.
