June 2, 2010
MOMS MAKE THE BEST NURSES
Mark 9:30-41
Alli Penuel
Central Truth
When we define greatness we must remember the standards that Jesus gave the disciples in Capernaum: To be great in God's eyes is to be a servant to all.
Key Verse | Mark 9:35
Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." (Mark 9:35)
Mark 9:30-41
Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection
30 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.
Who Is the Greatest?
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.”
Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, 1 9:38 Some manuscripts add who does not follow us and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.
Dive Deeper | Mark 9:30-41
I vividly remember getting sick when I was young. Whether it was a fever, cough, nausea, or worse, I always knew I would be well taken care of. My mom would set me up on the couch with fresh blankets and pillows. A TV tray would be placed next to the couch with the remote control (for watching movies), Sprite with a straw, and of course, the "throw-up bowl" as we called it in our family. Mom would constantly check on me: refilling Sprite, offering Saltines or soup, keeping my medicine on schedule—whatever was needed to make me feel better. What a servant!
When I read the words that Jesus spoke to the disciples in Capernaum, I began to think about what He meant by a servant. A servant doesn't wait to be asked. A servant is proactive. A servant doesn't care what will be given in return. A servant gives selflessly. This concept can be hard to grasp in a world telling us to do whatever it takes to elevate ourselves. But thankfully we have the ultimate example of servanthood in Christ. "[A]lthough He existed in the form of God, [He] did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:6-8)
How can we truly serve others in this life? For me it all goes back to Mom nursing me back to health. She saw a need and acted. She served without expecting anything in return. And finally, she paid attention to detail. I didn't need Sprite in a cup—over ice—within arms' reach, but it surely was refreshing!
How can I follow her example and serve my family, friends, and community? I think the answer lies in cultivating a humble heart that is sensitive to their needs and in tune with the love of our selfless Father in Heaven.
Discussion Questions
1. Think of a person in your life who is truly a servant. What can you learn from his/her example?
2. Who in your life needs you to serve them right now? What are their specific needs? Are their needs physical, emotional or spiritual?
3. In a world that tells us to put ourselves first, how can we begin to change our thinking and put others before us? Is it possible to live a selfless life?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you like to be first?
2. What does Jesus say about being first in verse 35?
3. How can you be in last place this week by serving someone else?