Mark 9:30-37 (NRSV)
Prediction of the passion
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."
Reflection
So we start the last journey south towards Jerusalem in this passage. Jesus had now ended the ministry in Galilee. Jesus was closing in on the final moments of his ministry on this earth with these disciples present with him now. It was time to do some teaching. Time to come to an understanding. This was a huge moment in Jesus' call from the Father to fulfill. So Jesus was instructing the disciples of his passion and the cross.
This message of the passion and the cross didn't match with what the disciples had in their minds of power. Some disciples were privileged to witness the transfiguration. A heavenly sight of the leaders of the faith. Just to be present made one feel chosen. So, to be with Jesus surely meant great things were to come. But Jesus was telling them of something else. Jesus was speaking of suffering and death. The noise of the first gave way to the victory of the resurrection. It's hard to get past such a change in the future from a glorious reunion with God in the transfiguration to suffering and death. You can't get beyond this abrupt change to even hear that Jesus said he will rise again.
So pride got in the way. Let's not pay any attention to this message Jesus has and let's see who will be first in the kingdom. Jesus hears of this argument and teaches a lesson that will be acted out at the last supper in the washing of feet and acted out in the days to follow in Jesus suffering and death on the cross.
We are to give our lives to God. Jesus gave his life and was resurrected to a new life that was granted to all people through Jesus' act. God acts in and through Jesus. God acts in and through each of us when we give our life to God. As a child trusts in the parents that they will be cared for and loved, so too can we trust in God to be cared for and loved. Even and especially children without parents or in any need, God cares for and loves. Each of us come to God in this way. As forgotten children torn from our parents due to our sinful nature we come to God and God runs to us. We give our life to God and God leads and guides us to everlasting life. Our life was once destined to death in the garbage heap but now that we were last of all, God takes us in as first of all and shows us all the love we will ever need now and into eternity.
That's the love Jesus was showing and demonstrating and giving, not only to his disciples, but to all people throughout all time. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, I take pause to hear your message of salvation. May I be so honored for you to give me the words to say to another that they too may hear your words through me and receive salvation today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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