EGO HAVOC
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank for your Word; its value is beyond measure. Without it, I would never have known how much you love me and how much you were willing to sacrifice for me.
Read MARK 9:30–50
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time
30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
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.
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child 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.”
Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us
38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone 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. “For 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. 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.
Causing to Stumble
42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, 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. [44] [a] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [46] [b] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, 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
“‘the worms that eat them do not die,
and the fire is not quenched.’[c]
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 among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
Footnotes
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Who do you know that most embodies humility? Thank God for them.If you were to see Jesus walking through Galilee ahead of his disciples, you would notice a stark contrast. Jesus knew that he was heading toward suffering, death, and resurrection (v. 31). In obedience to his Father, he would give his life as a ransom for many (10:45). His priority was to help his disciples understand this and the implications for following him. Instead, as he walked alone, his disciples quarreled about where they fit in the pecking order (v. 34). Such was their self-regard that they objected to others casting out demons in Jesus’ name (v. 38), even though they have just failed to exorcise a young boy.
Egotism destroys community and makes us dangerous to others, especially the weak and the vulnerable (see v. 42). Jesus told his disciples to deal savagely with these tendencies (vv. 43–48). Within the community of Jesus, true greatness was radically redefined as being like a child who, in Jesus’ day, had no status, no power, and few rights. Jesus, on his lonely walk to the cross, embodied this greatness. His attitude was the pattern for all who would follow him (see Philippians 2:1–11).
Humility is the ‘salt’ that keeps the community healthy, that perfects the sacrifice of lives given to God (see Leviticus 2:13), and that enables fellowship. Once it has gone, it is hard to restore.
Apply
Reflect on these words: ‘Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time’ (1 Peter 5:6).
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to value others more than I do myself, to look to the interests of others before my own. Help me to be more like you.
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