Law/Gospel Theme: In our reading for today we will that there are many who want to be first. First in line. First to speak. First to be noticed. “Me first!” This is a cry that is heard by anyone who has ever wanted to be noticed.
Some are often short on patience. And can also be a bit competitive. The principles that Jesus taught. Turn our ideas of greatness upside down. Today we will see how dependent we are on God. Who is truly the greatest. When we rely on the Lord. And seek to serve others. Then we will be at our best.
Prayer: Lord Jesus. Forgive us for our battles over greatness. Remind us that You alone are great. For You have served the least among us.
Confession/Absolution:
LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.
In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your Spirit.
That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness.
And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Mark 9:30-37
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “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.” 32 But they did not understand the saying and were afraid to ask him. 33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 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.”
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.”
Hymn: #72 Rock of Ages
What makes some people so awesome? What makes them great? Usually we recognize some people as “heroes” because they have won a lot of awards. Or won many games. Or have done some incredible things in their lives.
They might be top competitors in their category. To get where they are. They worked hard. And practiced a lot.
We celebrate achievements and give these “greats” recognition. Or awards. Or repayment. We honor people who have risen to the top and become the “greatest.”
Once the great baseball player Babe Ruth pointed to the outfield. Telling the crowd where he would hit the ball. Sure enough. It was a homerun. Some have called Babe Ruth the greatest baseball player of all time. And yet. As great as he was. Babe Ruth only hit the ball 30% of the time.
If a student came home with a math test marked 30%, He’d receive an “F” for a grade. And his parents and teachers would be less than pleased!
What do you think it takes to be great as a disciple of Jesus? How can we become the greatest of Christ followers?
This is something that the disciples of Christ were asking. In fact. They were arguing about it in the Gospel passage we are looking at today.
Jesus had been teaching and describing things that would happen to Him. A few of His disciples had been arguing about who was the greatest. They might have been trying to figure out how to identify the “best” among them.
But Jesus turned their conversation upside down. He told them that to be first, they must become last.
What does this mean? Jesus wanted His disciples to be humble. Striving to be “the best” is not always best.
Greatness does not depend on power. Or talent. But on putting others first. We are made to serve one another and help each other.
Jesus also wanted to remind His disciples (and us too) that we depend on Him for all we have.
While He was talking. Jesus took up a small child. Children back then were not seen as very important. And people often did not pay much attention to them. But Jesus told His followers that if they welcomed children. And gave attention to those who did not have as much status and esteem. They would truly be doing His work.
Welcoming others would be like welcoming Jesus Himself.
In a way. We are like this child. Because we depend on God for all we have. We might think of ourselves as “great” sometime. Or try to become that way.
But all that we have. And all of who we are is in Christ. We aren’t great because we can slam dunk a basketball. Or throw a football. Or do other remarkable things.
We are great in God’s eyes when we follow Him and recognize HIS greatness. We can pray for strength. And recognize that it comes from the Lord.
Lord, thank you for your love and care. YOU are truly the greatest. Help us to think less of ourselves. And more of you. Help us to serve one another. As you have loved and served us. [1]
Let us cry out to the Lord with our prayers and petitions on this day.
The Lord has given us the beauty of worship and the gift of fellowship with one another. We thank you Lord, for gathering us this day.
The Lord has given us life in a nation of opportunities and liberty; with public services such as fire and police protection, ambulances, food pantries, schools, libraries, and hospitals. We thank you Lord, for our national life.
The Lord has given us neighbors, friends, families, and coworkers to share the joys and burdens of this life. We thank you Lord, for the privilege of loving others.
The Lord has given us a world full of creatures that crawl, fly, swim, and climb. We enjoy a bounty of flowers and shrubs, grasses and trees, plants and moss, and rocks and hills. We thank you Lord, for your creation.
The Lord has given us one another and we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers for the sick and suffering.
The Lord has given us a promise that where He goes, He will prepare a place for us.
We thank you Lord for the gift of life and for giving us to one another for safekeeping. Bring us home when it is time. Lord in your grace, hear our prayer.[2]
Words –1,230
Passive Sentences –3.7%
Readability –87%
Reading Level – 3.3
Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[1] The Least is the Greatest: Children’s Sermon from Mark 9:30-37 - Ministry To Children (ministry-to-children.com)
[2] September-15.2024-10AM-17th-Sunday-after-Pentecost.pdf (stmarksnewcanaan.org)
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