Bible Studies
Mark 9:30-37 – Coming in Last
Key Verses:(NRSV)
- 31: “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” – Jesus is traveling alone with His disciples and He takes the opportunity to teach, for the second time, what lies ahead.
- 32: “But they did not understand what He was saying and were afraid to ask Him.” – This was a subject they wanted to avoid.
- 33: “…He asked them ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’” – Can you picture Jesus walking along the road in contemplation, taking in the scenery and reveling at God’s creation, while the disciples held back behind in small groups whispering and arguing among themselves.
- 34: “But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.” – Busted! Absorbed with their own greatness, Jesus, with one small question, holds up a mirror and reveals the error of their thinking.
- 35: “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” – Jesus teaches that greatness comes only through a life of servanthood.
- 37: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” – Children held no status in first century Jerusalem. They were barely held above the wild dogs with which they shared the streets. Jesus had reached to the bottom of the heap.
- Do you think about your own death?
Promises of the Gospel:
As we go through life we tend to avoid uncomfortable topics, and instead, become immersed with issues concerning our own well-being. As with the disciples, our greatness, our role within God’s kingdom, can easily become our main concern. With this story Jesus teaches us how to prioritize our lives. Our purpose and role as Christians is not about us, it’s about God. We are to set everything thing aside and enter into a life of servanthood. When we reach out and welcome the powerless, when we think of the needs of others and not of ourselves, then we are welcoming God into our life and will be lifted up in His glory.
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