Mark 9:35-37
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “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.”
“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” I do tend to think of service as being an intentional act of doing for, or giving to, or helping with, etc. But these verses remind me that being a servant of Christ means being willing to be the last. It means giving up something for another, waiting at the end of the line, not getting any of the pie once in a while. I would do well to remember these verses and remember that service can be as simple as waiting my turn, or allowing someone else to go first.
Lord God, adjust my attitude, I pray. Help me to remember to put others first, allow them the first choice, make a space for them, and know I have done the right thing. Amen
Becky, transforming
Pic by Kay
Mark 9:35–37
Whether it is children or any other group, we should welcome them as God welcomes us. We should cast aside the notion of sorting out who deserves and who does not. Help with a blind eye and put others before yourself.
Dear Lord, help me to give and help freely and without judgment. Amen.
Mark 9:35-37
Serving others is real leadership to Jesus. No more arguing about who was/is the greatest. A servant’s heart will help you be the greatest you can be.
Prayer: Gracious God, Keep my servant’s heart strong. Always show me the ways I can serve you. AMEN
Thursday, February 6th, 2025
Mark 9:35-37
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.” 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.”
This is why Jesus came and took last place for you and I. He came to serve us in the most perfect way possible, both as true God and true human being . He gave up everything choosing to be la…
Mark 9:35-37
Our culture has numerous catch-phrases that reflect this timeless teaching of Jesus: “lead by serving,” “stoop to conquer” for example. In the worldly realm, however, dark forces would have us replace these with their moral and ethical counterparts: “look out for number one,” “nice guys finish last,” etc. The line that has been drawn between these values seems clearer than most, but it still requires discernment and listening for the Holy Spirit for guidance. Servant leadership is not being a doormat and when it comes to facing down Satan and no one else is at risk, self-defense and preservation of one’s relationship with God seems appropriate.
Prayer - Grant me the wisdom, Lord of the classic serenity prayer…