Hello All,
How would you define true greatness? What are
the things that make a person great?
Do political powers, material wealth,
achievements or virtuous deeds add merit to one’s greatness?
Today, we will be looking at a poem taken from
the gospel of Mark 9:30-37 which was inspired by a sermon delivered by the
senior pastor of my church, Rev. Andrew Cheah.
Who is the Greatest? (Mark 9:30-37)
By Joanne
Liaw Sook Ling (16th Aug 2013)
Jesus and his disciples walked through Galilee
He didn't want others to know about their
journey
For he needed to be away from the people
To teach, train and equip his clueless
disciples
'The Son of Man is going to be delivered
To be killed by men, like a lamb to be
slaughtered
And when he is killed, after three days he
will rise
When this happens it should come as no
surprise'
The message of his words they could not
understand
But they did not want to appear like foolish
men
So they refrained from asking Jesus to explain
His death and resurrection which had been
ordained
So they reached Capernaum and settled in a
house
Where Jesus asked them the reason behind their
grouse
For they had argued with each other on the way
Regarding who was the greatest man of their
day
They kept silent for they were ashamed to
reveal
The motivations behind their arrogant zeal
So Jesus sat down and called the twelve
together
He taught them to show true greatness to each
other
He told them not to seek the glory that will
pass
'If anyone would be first, he must be the last
He must be a servant of all' Jesus then took
A small child who gazed at them with a
helpless look
'Whoever receives one such child so graciously
In my name, receives me and the One who sent
me'
True greatness was shown by Jesus' death on
the cross
Let us serve his church humbly no matter the
cost
Points for
Reflection:
And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house
he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for
on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. (Mark 9:33-34)
·
Pride is at
the heart of human’s sinfulness. At first reading, we might feel indignant at
the disciples’ arrogant and childish argument about who was the greatest. But
if we were to look into our hearts, examine our thoughts and actions, are we
actually any better than them?
·
In what
ways have you been taking pride in your riches, intellect, talents or
achievements? Do you seek the praises of men instead of God for your
accomplishments? Are you often tempted to put others down and elevate yourself
to gain a sense of superiority?
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.” (Mark 9:35)
·
Our secular
culture sees greatness in political influence, affluence, achievements and moral uprightness.
But Jesus sees greatness in a different light. True greatness is seen in a
person who serves others with humility and without expecting any recognition in
the name of Jesus Christ. Doing something in someone’s name means to do
something on behalf of someone’s authority.
·
Are you doing good deeds and serving God in your own name instead of
Jesus’? Do you give all glory to your moral uprightness instead of God? When
you are tempted to embody greatness in your fragile constitution, always
remember this phrase in Latin – ‘Soli Deo Gloria’ (To God alone be the glory).
And he took a child and put him in the midst of them,
and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child
in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who
sent me.” (Mark 9:36-37)
·
Children in
Jesus’ days were looked down on and were meant to be seen but not heard; unlike
the children of our day whose rights are protected by the laws of our country
and who are often pampered by their parents. But Jesus told his disciples not
to look down on those who were considered lowly in the eyes of the world. They
were to welcome and serve the lowly for the sake of Jesus Christ.
·
Are you welcoming, serving and sharing the
gospel with those who are considered lowly in the eyes of the world?
For he [Jesus] 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.” (Mark 9:31)
·
True and
ultimate greatness is embodied in our Lord Jesus Christ through his humility
and death on the cross for unworthy sinner like us.
Have
this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a
thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of
men. And being found in human form,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has
highly exalted him and bestowed on
him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
·
Have you
received Jesus Christ, the humble but powerful Servant King, as your Lord and
Saviour? How could you be seeking to learn humility from Christ by serving his
people?
Humble
yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time
he may exalt you (1 Peter 5:6)
Whoever
exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)
