Friday Prior to Proper 20

 

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Mark 9:30-37—Jesus goes to Jerusalem to face his oppressors. Jesus again announces His approaching passion and teaches the disciples the meaning of greatness.  On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus announces a second time that He is going there to suffer, die, and rise on the third day. To avoid being detained, he travels incognito. Unlike the first announcement, the disciples do not understand it and are afraid to ask Him the meaning of it. When the group reaches Capernaum, Jesus asked them what they were discussing during the walk. They were too embarrassed to answer, for they had discussed who would be Number One in the coming Kingdom.  Jesus taught that the one to be first must be last as a servant. To illustrate He takes a child in His arms, for in that day women and children were considered second-class citizens. Jesus makes the point that the greatest will minister to one like a child in His name, and when He does, He serves both Christ and God. 

It is natural and human to want to get to the top, to the heard of the line. Who wants to be second or last? Jesus died not condemn them for wanting to be Number One. It was a matter of how to be first. He explained that in his kingdom the first would be last and servant of all. This is upside down according to the world’s standards. Jesus gave the example. He was going to suffer and die for men. He used a child to demonstrate the principle – give attention and care to one as unimportant and powerless as a child. 2 

Collect for Proper 20 –O God, whose strength is made perfect in weakness, grant us humility and childlike faith that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen. 3

Sources:

1. “The Crucifixion” Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

2. Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

3. Collect for Proper 20, Lutheran  Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis