M a r k 9  v30-37 is the Gospel reading on Sunday

In this passage, Jesus announces again His forthcoming death and resurrection. He taught His Apostles and said to them, The Son of Man is delivered into the hands of man, and they shall kill him. and after he is killed, he shall rise on the third day.  The dullness of the Apostles in spiritual things appears once more, as soon as that announcement was made there was good in the tidings as well as evil. Sweet as well as bitter, life as death, the resurrection as well as the Cross.

But it was all darkness to the bewildered Apostles  they did  not understand and were afraid to ask.  Their minds were full of their Master’s reign upon earth.  They thought that His earthly Kingdom was to immediately appear.  Never are we so slow to understand, when prejudice and pre-conceived opinions darken our eyes.  

The immense importance of our Lord’s death and resurrection comes out strongly in this fresh announcement which He makes.  He reminds them He must die. 

We are to know His death was the great end for which He came into the world. By that death, the great problem was solved, how God could be just and yet justify sinners. He did not come into the world just to teach or preach and perform miracles, He came to make satisfaction for us by His blood and suffering on the Cross.  This is never to be forgotten.  

The incarnation and example and the words of Christ, are all of deep importance.  But the object which demands our notice, in the history of the earthly Ministry, is His death at Calvary.

We see secondly, the ambition and love of pre-eminence of the Apostles exhibited as the way in which they debated  among themselves who should be the greatest.

Who would have thought that fishermen and publicans, could have been overcome by the desire of supremacy. Poor men who had given up everything for the sake of Christ, would have been troubled by dissention, as to the place of precedence each one deserved. Yet it was so. The fact is recorded for us to learn. The Holy Spirit has caused to be written down for the continued use for the Christian Church.

It is an awful fact, whether we like it or not, that pride is the most common sin of human nature. We are all born Pharisees.

People think more of themselves than they ought, and think something better is deserved. It all began at the garden of Eden, when Adam ad Eve felt they had been denied. It rules in many hearts without it being noticed, it can even be covered up by a pretence of humility. It leads away from Christ, affects brotherly love, we should all be on our guard lest we fool or be fooled.

Jesus set before His Apostles a standard of true greatness.  He said, if any man chooses to be first, he shall be the last of all.

This shows the desires of the world are totally contrary to those of Jesus.  The worldly idea is to rule, but Christian greatness is in serving.  The world seeks ambition, honours, and attention. But the Christian should seek to give rather than receive.

Briefly, those who lay themselves out, to help fellow beings, are to be useful in his day and is the greater in the eyes of Jesus. 

There is a call to make  practical use of the heart-searching practice.  To do good to our fellow beings; Christians should be ready to help others and find happiness.

Finally, we see what encouragement our Lord gives to the lowest and least  who believe in His Name.  He shows this in a special manner. He took a child into His arms, and said to the Apostles. he who soever shall receive one of such children in my Name receives me, and whosever receives me receives the One who sent me.

This is a continuation of what we have considered. It may be foolhardy to the natural man, flesh and blood can see no other way to greatness than crowns, rank, wealth and position.  The Son of Man declares the way lies in devotion to the weakest and lowest of his flock.  He emphasises His declaration by words which are often read without thought

There is encouragement here for all who devote themselves to do charitable work for neglected souls; to restore the outcast to society, to  take the fallen from sins, to bring the wanderer home.

The Son of God marks those who do those things.  Whatever the world thinks, they are those whom Jesus will delight to honour on the last day.

 

Let us thank God for His Word. May His Holy Name be glorified