November 2
Down is up
Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” Mark 9:33 (NKJV)
The gospel procession continued to criss-cross the region of Galilee as Jesus returned to the coastal town of Capernaum. After settling in, He asked His disciples a question.
By now we should know that whenever Jesus asked a question it wasn’t for His own benefit or due to a lack of knowledge on His part. He knows everything (Colossians 2:3), so when He asked a question, it was actually for the benefit of the ones being asked.
That’s what happened here. He knew the disciples had been arguing over which of them was going to be the greatest, and asking this question was Christ’s way of driving an important lesson into their hearts. Of course, they didn’t want to answer, so after a few awkward moments of silence, Jesus taught them (and us) something that must never be forgotten:
And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:35 (NKJV)
This is one of the “pillars of truth” when it comes to God’s way of doing things: Greatness is defined by humility in serving others. Nothing could be more opposite of how the natural order operates. In this world, greatness is all about getting a leg up on others, stepping over them, and making them serve you.
That’s the mindset the disciples had here, but it was a mindset that was incompatible with Christ’s calling on their lives. They would have to turn the hourglass of their thinking upside-down…or rather right-side up…because in God’s Kingdom, up is down.
If you want to rise in spiritual greatness, be least. Adorn the attitude of a servant and serve those in need. It won’t get you a lot of recognition or press on earth, but it’s something God is going to notice and reward according to His grace.
Think About It…
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
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