"Servant of All"

MEDITATION for Sept. 23, 2012

Mark 9:30-37

 

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        “Jesus and His disciples went on from there and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man will be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’

     “But the disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying and were afraid to ask him what he meant.

      “Then they came to Capernaum; and when Jesus was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’

     “But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.

      “Jesus sat down, called the twelve to Him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.”

     “Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes or receives one such child in my name welcomes or receives me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’”  (Mark 9:30-37)

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     We tried something new as a church yesterday—or at least something that had not been done in a long time.

     We had a mission yard sale/flea market/bake sale.  And it was a big deal. It wasn’t the auction that we were comfortable with and that our church has done many times.

     There were all sorts of details to address, things to figure out as we went along. We had to answer questions on the fly, such as “where do we put all the stuff people are dropping off before the sale?” We needed to make snap decisions, such as how to place the long tables inside the church lobby when the weather was cooler than we hoped. We needed to get word out to our community. We needed volunteers on the day of the sale to make coffee, set out donuts, wash cups, and clean up. We needed people to sort, price, and display the items, as well as people to collect money and give change.  

     Finally, we needed volunteers to welcome visitors from the community who heard about our sale or saw the signs and the cars in the parking lot—and came.

     And God provided all the people and all the help we needed.  He used us to be a blessing to others.

    Aside from raising money for mission, what was the most important thing about the sale? 

     Christian outreach. The sale provided opportunities for us to meet and build relationships with people who don’t go to our church. People who may not know the love of Christ or have His peace. Our silent auction, though an excellent fundraiser that we enjoy very much, doesn’t go beyond our church walls. It doesn’t draw our neighbors inside our church and invite them to join us in shared mission.

    As Christians who gather in His name, we are all about the Great Commission of Matthew 28. “Go forth and disciple all the nations!” Jesus tells us.  “Teach them everything I have commanded you!”

    As people who want to respond obediently to Christ’s call on our lives, we know more is required of us than giving money to people in need. We constantly look to our Savior’s example to show us how to walk our journey of faith.

    And the Jesus we know had few possessions, not even a home, let alone much money to give away. But the people he ministered to loved Him because He loved them and gave all of Himself as He submitted to God.  He shared words of hope to the hopeless – “Blessed are those who thirst and hunger for righteousness, for they shall be filled! Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted!” He prayed for people and touched the sick when no one else would go near them. He had compassion for them, forgave and healed them.

      He glorified the Father with His words and deeds. And, obeying God, He gave His life so others would have life everlasting—and not perish in their sins. 

     As Christ’s followers, we are called to die to ourselves-- give up our worldly status and identities—and live as new creations in Him.  We set our eyes on the Kingdom of God and not on the things of this world. We aren’t farmers, nurses, teachers, truck drivers or bus drivers.  Not in the Kingdom of God. We are the Body of Christ, His Church, members of Him.

     And He calls us to be, as we learn in Mark chapter 9, “servant of all.” 

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      The disciples are having trouble understanding this in today’s gospel reading.

       Christ tells them “the Son of Man”—Jesus—will be given into human hands, killed, and raised on the third day. His words shock the disciples; they are too frightened to ask Him what He means. Jesus has taught them through parables—stories with different levels of meaning that teach spiritual truths.  But now, when he speaks to them privately, he tells them straight out, “I am going to be killed! And raised from the dead!”

    No one expects the Messiah to be killed, least of all His disciples who have witnessed the miracles surrounding His ministry. The Messiah has come to bring justice and reign as an earthly king of God’s people.  Or so His disciples think.  They dream earthly dreams of the important roles they will play in Christ’s kingdom. Who is the greatest? Which will have the seat of honor—closest to the throne?

      Yes, the disciples have a little problem with pride and egotism. They are human, after all. Like kids caught scrapping in the schoolyard, they don’t answer when Jesus asks them what they were arguing about as they walked along the road.

    Jesus already knows.  He knows what’s in our hearts.

    Instead of scolding them, Jesus beckons to the 12 to sit with him. Then he patiently teaches with an object —like we do sometimes for the children’s sermon.

    “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all,” He begins. Then he pulls a child into his arms and asks, “You see this child? Whoever welcomes this child welcomes me, and not only me, but the One who sent me.”

      Children were of the lowest status in the Greco-Roman world. They were mere property—not coddled and protected like our children today. Interestingly, the Greek word Jesus uses for “child” is sometimes used for “servant.”  

     So Christ humbles himself to the lowest status in his society when he likens himself to a child.    

    Who is the greatest in the kingdom of God? The One we are called to imitate.

    Jesus Christ, the only One who is truly “servant of all.”

     

     Will you pray with me?  

     Holy God, we give you all glory, honor and praise! Bind us together in love and help us to be a church that is truly “servant of all.” Remove all pride and egotism from us.  Grant us humility and compassion for the outcast and marginalized people of this world. Move us to words and deeds of love, seeking to help and meet needs without expecting anything in return. Give us courage to try new ways to bring the gospel to our community and to join with other Christians in mission to the poor. Give us strength to let go of the control we think we have on our lives and submit all of ourselves to You, without holding anything back. In Your Son’s name we pray.  Amen.