Day Five Mark 9:30-37
30 Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know he was there, 31 for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” 32 They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant.
33 After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” 34 But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”
36 Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.” – Mark 9:30-37 (NLT)
Discover
1. What mission is on the top of Jesus’ mind according to verses 30-31?
2. In what manner does Jesus call out the disciples in verses 33-35?
3. How would comparing Himself to a child be revolutionary to the disciples?
Respond
As Jesus begins His ascent to Jerusalem where He'll be crucified, He has much He still needs to teach His disciples. Jesus continues to reiterate what lies ahead for Him, but He also needs these guys to start seeing the upside-down values of His Kingdom. A Kingdom where the last will be first, where the poor and marginalized have great worth, and where humility is a sign of strength. Today as you go about your day, ask God to remind you of the truth that people are not the enemy. Look for ways to love and serve someone that it’s difficult for you to love.
For Further Learning: The Gospel of the Kingdom Bible Project Video
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