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 did 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]
-17 September, 2021
[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
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