Today's Scripture
Upside down understanding – Mark 9:33-37
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Isaiah 37-38; Mark 9:30-50(CEB)
33 They entered Capernaum. When they had come into a house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about during the journey?” 34 They didn’t respond, since on the way they had been debating with each other about who was the greatest.35 He sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be least of all and the servant of all.” 36 Jesus reached for a little child, placed him among the Twelve, and embraced him. Then he said, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me isn’t actually welcoming me but rather the one who sent me.”
What does this passage mean to me/us
Jesus was hinting the upside-down understanding of the Kingdom of God, but the disciples were yet to fully understand.
Instead, they were talking about who will be the greatest in the Kingdom.
Jesus presents this idea of an upside-down understanding of the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is not to focus on ourselves or what we want to be. The Kingdom of God is more about how we can be more like Jesus, who came to this world to serve.
He uses an example of welcoming the children, and it was to explain how we should serve and love others, who were considered low.
When the church does not understand that truth, we, unintentionally, stop serving and loving God.
If Jesus said, that welcoming other is welcoming who sent him, it means that not welcoming and serving others is therefore not serving God.
Have you heard this story before?
A poor person was not welcomed to a church service. He smelled and was not dressed properly. The church members did not say anything to him, neither did they welcome him. Being discouraged, he walked out of the sanctuary and being sad he sat at the steps of the church. There he met Jesus, who sat near to him, and asked, ‘why are you so discouraged?’ He replied by says, ‘I am not welcomed in the worship.’ They Jesus replied and said, ‘don’t worry, neither am I welcomed at that church.’
Welcoming mean inviting others to our lives. It is difficult, but that is exactily what Jesus did.
Prayer
Lord, help us understand and live out your Kingdom today. In Christ name, we pray, AMEN.
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