Mark 9:33-37 (Common English Bible)
33 They entered Capernaum. When they had come into a house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about during the journey?” 34 They didn’t respond, since on the way they had been debating with each other about who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be least of all and the servant of all.” 36 Jesus reached for a little child, placed him among the Twelve, and embraced him. Then he said, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me isn’t actually welcoming me but rather the one who sent me.”
Summary:
Throughout, our worship series Changing the Game, we discover how God is changing our lives for the better. Change is difficult and hard, but necessary to live in God’s promise. In this scripture, the disciples argue about who is the greatest, but Jesus tell them that “the first shall be last.” Jesus changes the order, saying the least according to the world are the greatest in God. Jesus turns the world upside down in order for right to stand up.
Reflection Questions:
- What does Jesus mean by “the first must be least or last?”
- Jesus says, “whoever welcomes a child welcomes me.” What makes children so special to God?
- How is God calling you to change so you can welcome Jesus in your life?