Leviticus 22:1-16; Mark 9:30-37; Psalms 44:1-3; Proverbs 14:7-8
NT: “They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, because on the way they had been arguing with one another about who was the greatest. Sitting down, he called the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last and servant of all.” He took a child, had him stand among them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one little child such as this in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me does not welcome me, but him who sent me.”” (Mark 9:33-37 CSB)
Apparently, the disciples were engaged in a little competition to see who would rise the ranks to become the greatest and most valued out of them all. While they were traveling, they were talking a little smack-talk to each other, and Jesus overheard them. Jesus used that opportunity to teach them about greatness in His kingdom. The greatest in the kingdom is the one who serves the most. To illustrate His point, He called a child over and embraced the child in His arms. I didn’t know this, but in Aramaic (the common language of the day), child and servant are the same words. Children in those days had no social status. They held no position of respect or honor. Yet, Jesus used receiving a child – taking the hand of a child and bearing the responsibility of meeting that child’s needs – as the way to becoming great in His kingdom. If you take the hand of the least and lowest and meet their needs, you serve Jesus, and ultimately the Father. Instead of looking for opportunities to climb the social or corporate ladder, look for opportunities to serve those who have nothing to offer you, and help them grow and mature.
Jamie Hicks 