As Jesus proceeded towards the cross, the disciples argued about who was the greatest and about who should be included. Until we address our pride, we will always see everyone else as the problem.
Mark 9:30-41
30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 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.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name,and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.
I Don’t Have to Be Right [Mark 9:30-32]
- Not everyone is able to accept the plans of God.
- God’s plan was that the tragedy of Jesus’ sacrifice was necessary for the triumph of our redemption.
- Assuming that my plan is superior is a prideful assertion that God’s plan is inadequate.
I Don’t Have to Be First [Mark 9:33-37]
- Attempting to prove your importance actually reveals your inadequacies.
- True greatness is being willing to serve all – not desiring to be served by all.
- When we receive whom the world holds as the least, we actually receive whom the heavens hold as the greatest.
I Don’t Have to Be Included [Mark 9:38-41]
- You can’t be zealous for God’s work if you are jealous of who gets the credit.
- I can miss the work of God when I prioritize my tribe over God’s agenda.
- If the deeds are noble and the motives are pure, we should celebrate those believers and not condemn their associations.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.