Pentecost 18 - Proper 20

Pentecost 18 – Proper 20
September 23, 2018
Mark 9:30-37

Our Father cares for His children with the Gospel of His Son

“Jesus’ definition of greatness” 

What is Jesus’ definition of “greatness”? What is His standard? His measuring stick? Jesus answers that question in the Gospel of Matthew. With very clear and specific words. “At that time, the disciples came to Jesus asking ‘who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’  Calling unto Himself an infant παιδίον Jesus placed him in front of them and said ‘whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones; who believes in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea…see that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven always behold the face of My Father.” {Matthew 18:1; 4-6; 10}

Merciful God, Your Son Jesus Christ was lifted upon a cross that He might bear the sin of the world and draw all people to Himself. Grant that we who glory in His death for our redemption may faithfully heed His call to bear the cross and follow Him. Lord, thank You for Your work through the lives of others. Lead me to welcome those miracles and mercies that You show through every one of Your people…

These words. Should sound familiar to us. They have been read. Hundreds of times. Over the past thirty-one years. They are included. In the baptism order of service. Used at this parish. Are you surprised? At these words?  Are you offended? By these words of the Savior?

Jesus is quite specific. When it comes to defining greatness μείζων. Jesus gives further instruction of what it means to be great according to His definition. 

The disciples had been engaged in that very conversation.  Like any parent. Who can clearly overhear the bickering and arguing that goes on. Jesus asks them once they enter the house. “What were you arguing about on the road?” {v. 33} Jesus has them dead to rights.  Mark informs us they kept quiet. They were silent. Because they have been bickering. About who was the greatest among them. {v.34} 

Consider Jesus’ clear and definitive response.

I. To be great, according to Jesus, you first must be the very least. You must become the servant of all. Jesus said “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” {v. 35}

  

A.  Jesus’ definition of greatness differs from the ways of this world.  The world defines greatness in a number of smart yet catchy phrases. “The one with the most toys wins!”  “I’ll meet you at the top.” “Luck is when preparation and opportunity collide.” Power. Control. And a stockpile of cash. Are just some of the parts that make up the whole. That determines the world’s definition of greatness.  

Jesus’ understanding of greatness is summed up in one small yet powerful word. -–To be a servant. Jesus said, “For the Son of man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” {Matthew 20:28}

1. Jesus became the servant of all. In His cross and suffering. There. At the cross. He took the sins of the entire world. Which includes yours. He carried them. The hymn writer reminds us: “a lamb goes uncomplaining forth the guilt of all men bearing. And laden with the sins of earth, none else the burden sharing…” (TLH #142 stanza 1)

2. “Stricken, smitten and afflicted, see Him dying on the tree.” He hangs there. For you and for me. Taking the sins of the entire world unto Himself. He suffered. That you might receive the forgiveness of sins. Life. Salvation.  Because He suffered. There is now “peace on earth, good will toward men.” “God and man are now reconciled” - For in Jesus Christ all sin is forgiven – period!

B.   St. Paul will echo the very same thing as he defines greatness. He says: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a -servant, {and} being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” {Philippians2: 5-8}

1. Jesus was rich toward God. In every respect. He was the perfect. Holy. Son of God.  But in that great exchange. He took your sin to Himself.

2. He became poor for you. That you might be rich toward God. He became a slave. That you might be called an heir. No one can be too low for Jesus. Because He sank to the lowest point possible. That you might be lifted up. He was the “true light” and yet He allowed Himself to experience the “outer darkness” of your sin. He was forsaken by God and by man. That you might never have to sink that low.

Transition: Jesus demonstrated what it meant to be a servant in His humiliation. Suffering. Passion. And death. Thus you are called to recognize Him and acknowledge those who He determines to be great among us.

II.   To be great in the Savior’s eyes means that we must acknowledge Him by recognizing those who He places before us as great in His kingdom.  Listen to the Savior’s words: “Whoever welcomes one of these little ones in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but the One who sent Me.” (v. 37)

A. Jesus’ words are simple. “Whoever welcomes one of these babies in My name welcomes Me.” The old axiom says, “Children should be seen and not heard”. Jesus welcomes them. He embraces them.  

1. The true mark of faith is to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. As the Father draws you. You acknowledge Jesus as your true and One Redeemer. 

2. Baptism is your entry point. This is your new birth. Your second birth. Your welcome into the family of Christ. Should we deny a child entry into the kingdom? Certainly not! They are to be welcomed. They are to be recognized as great in the kingdom. Whenever you witness a baptism. Whenever you remember your own baptism. You are not only acknowledging God’s wonderful goodness. You are witnessing those that He considers great in the kingdom.

C. In Baptism we witness a great and mighty wonder. A mystery. And a miracle. All who are baptized are ushered into the kingdom. And placed front and center.  Acknowledged as great. In the Father’s kingdom. This is pure Grace. We have the privilege to welcome an heir into our midst.

When you witness a baptism. An heir to an eternal kingdom. Is born. And placed before us!  No wonder Jesus says they are the greatest in the kingdom! Remember your baptism! Remember you are a child of the King. An heir. To His eternal kingdom! 

1. Jesus is specific. When we welcome a child in baptism. We welcome Him. When we welcome Him. We welcome the Father.

2. We welcome the Father when Jesus and His activity are placed first and foremost in our lives.  When we witness a baptism and remember our own baptism; a crown of everlasting life is given to us. This will not tarnish. This cannot be snatched away by the enemy!

The old song sings: “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.  Red and Yellow, Black and White, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.”  That’s not child’s play. That’s your reality.  That’s what it means to be great in the Kingdom of God. In baptism you are declared to be a child of the King. You are an heir. You. And all the baptized. Are great in the Kingdom!

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Passive Sentences-7%
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