Being a Servant of All

33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?"
34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

vs 33-34 Why do you think the disciples would be arguing about their importance? How do Christians today argue about their importance?

The disciples were discussing who would be greatest. Perhaps this was due to the fact that Peter, James, and John had been selected over the others to view the Transfiguration. Maybe they were thinking about who had more faith and who knew more about the Hebrew scriptures. They were not realizing what Jesus was trying to teach them. As MacDonald comments, "It is heartbreaking to realize that at the very time Jesus had been telling them about His impending death, they were esteeming themselves better than others."

Christians today argue over the same things. Many Christians, preachers, and churches feel they are more important than others, or they argue how others are less important. We too often think that the way we do church or the way our denominational structure is established, or our style of preaching, or our church’s style of worship is superior to others. We do not appreciate how God has made each one us different and unique. We do not realize that God created the butterfly and the moth - one might appear prettier on the outside, but each has its purpose.

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

vs 35 What does this statement mean to you? What do you think it means to be a servant?

Jesus wants to train his disciples to understand what it means to be a servant. When we serve others, we don’t think about ourselves, we think about others. We don’t take care of our needs, we take care of other’s needs. We are not looking out for own welfare, we are looking out for the welfare of others. It is a sad fact that today most churches try to attract new people by advertising what the church can offer the new member. The emphasis is, "come and receive." This is a reflection of our selfish culture, and a practical reaction to this reality. We would probably have healthier churches if our emphasis were on, "come and serve." Certainly, new members and new believers can be excused if they are still in the "receiving" stage. But what about us who have been Christians for years? Jesus wanted his disciples to learn how to minister to others. I think he wants us to learn the same thing.

36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,
37 "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."

vs 36-37 Why would Jesus use a child as an example? What does this teach us about our attitude toward each other?

In Jesus’ day a child was powerless, had no rights, and was totally dependent on others for nurture and care. Their feelings or opinions about things were not important. They were the most helpless of all. Jesus used a child to indicate two things - we need to care for the children, and we need to care for even those who are powerless and cannot return to us any benefit.

Whatever lessons children are taught at a young age stay with them the rest of their life. If Christians try to have a positive influence on children, we never know what good we are doing and how we are laying a foundation for the child to later make a decision for Christ.

We also need to have a different attitude toward others. We should not be offended when people make childish mistakes, we should be willing to help others and not expect any reciprocal benefit. We should treat each other as if we are all children learning about God’s kingdom. We may make mistakes along the way, get a few bumps and scrapes, and sometimes give a few bumps and scrapes, but we forget about these things the next day because we like being part of God’s family.

38 "Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."
39 "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me,
40 for whoever is not against us is for us."

vs 38-40 How could a non-disciple have this kind of power? What does this teach us about denominational differences?

Wessel points out, "The man apparently was a believer, but he was not one of the exclusive company of the Twelve. Nevertheless he acted in Jesus’ name and had done what the disciples, on at least one occasion, had not been able to do."

Even though the disciples were being specially trained, I find it interesting that God used others beyond the circle of the disciples. We know nothing further about this man. Perhaps he later joined the disciples at Pentecost. Maybe he never did. Of course, it is possible that he was an older man who did not live long enough to be part of the early church. Perhaps it was for this reason that God began to use him - while he could be used.

Whatever the reason, we learn that even at the very foundation of Christ’s ministry, there was at least one who was separate from the others. I don’t think it was ever God’s intention for there to be so many different denominations, but God has used these different groups to advance his kingdom anyway. This should teach us to be supportive of other Christians and their ministries. They may do some things that we don’t like, and they may say some things that we don’t agree with, but if they adhere to the essentials of the Christian faith, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Who are we to speak against them, their church, or their ministry?

41 I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.

vs 41 What reward is Jesus talking about? What does this teach us about the different ministries of people?

We are rewarded with eternal life when we accept Christ as our Savior. We cannot earn this, so this verse is not taking about our salvation. When we get to heaven, we may find that we remember or are reminded of all the good things we have done for God’s kingdom. Maybe that will be reward enough. Every good work we do for others is recorded in heaven. But notice these good works are done in the name of Jesus.

The Believer’s Bible Commentary remarks, " ‘Because you belong to Christ’ is the cord that should bind believers together. These words, if kept before us, would deliver us from party spirit, petty bickerings and jealousy in Christian service."

42 And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.

vs 42 Which "little ones" do you think Jesus is speaking of? How could Christians cause others to sin?

As Christians we have a responsibility to the "little ones" - those who are young in age, those who are young in the Lord, and those who are young in spiritual maturity. We need to be careful that we don’t chase children and teenagers from our churches. We need to be careful that we don’t chase new believers from our services. We need to be careful that we don’t chase the spiritually immature from our services. All three of these groups may be disruptive at times. All three may do foolish things from time to time. All of them may need our patience and understanding. But let us help them feel welcome. There are some Christians that you may sometimes feel like saying, "Oh, just grow up." The key is to learn how to say that without chasing them away! This is not an easy assignment. As long as children and new believers and the spiritually immature are attending church, there is hope that they will learn about the sinful practices that they need to abandon. But once we chase them away, the evil influence of the world is ready to welcome them with open arms.

43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.
45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.
47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,
48 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

vs 43-48 What is Jesus trying to teach us in these verses? Should we literally cut off our hand or foot or eye? What have you had to forsake in order to serve Christ?

I don’t think Jesus meant for us to literally cut off our hand or foot, but he was trying to emphasize the importance of not allowing ourselves to go down the road that leads to hell. We take these verses in the context of the previous ones we have been studying. Let’s face it, we Christians can sometimes be offensive, and we can act very sinful. We can sometimes be uncaring and even unreasonable. While telling others of the virtues of obedience, we can find ourselves trapped by sinful desires or habits. Jesus tells us that we need to cut out those things that cause us to sin. Sometimes we have to sacrifice certain things to God. If watching television gives you wrong desires in your heart, you may have to turn off the television set. If reading certain books or magazines causes you to lose your focus on God, you need to toss those books or magazines aside. If thinking certain thoughts causes you to entertain sinful desires, you need to stop dwelling on those thoughts. Whatever causes you to walk in the flesh instead of the spirit, needs to go.

49 Everyone will be salted with fire.
50 Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.

vs 49-50 Where do we get our spiritual salt from? Why is it so important for Christians to be at peace with each other? What area of peace in your own life do you need to work on?

Salt was an important seasoning in the Biblical world. Salt adds flavor, preserves, heals, and is essential for health. Our spiritual salt comes from the Holy Spirit. But if we continue in sin, we stop listening to God’s Spirit. Without God’s Spirit directing us, we will be in constant conflict with ourselves, our family, and other Christians. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to minister peace in all areas of our life. When we do, we will find that others find us pleasant to be around.

Footnotes:



	Mark 9:33-50