What’s Up

Hey guys what’s up? Oh nothing. Sound familiar? Maybe when you were talking to a friend and your mom or dad said “What were you 2 talking about?” Your response was “nothing.” Which means I don’t want to talk about it or I really don’t  want you to know, because I don’t want to hear what you have to say. This is actually what the disciples did.

Mark 9:33 (KJV) And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

Jesus asked, " What were you arguing about on the road?" Can’t you see those disciples looking at each other 👀👀then acting as if they never heard the question..Mark 9:34 (KJV) But they held their peace: (Why did they do that?) for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

Jesus didn’t say “come on tell me” no! Because He already knew.  Jesus teaches His disciples about greatness.  Mark 9:36 (KJV) And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 

Mark 9:37 (KJV) Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

 Jesus takes a child and stands him in front of His disciples to teach them about who is great. A child doesn’t know what these men know. Neither has this child seen what these men have seen. Jesus is teaching that greatness is helping others where they are. Greatness is not condemning others for their failures. Greatness is looking past and seeing what others don’t see. One may say I’m important because of my education, another may say I’m important because of my experience. This small child in their presence didn’t care, this child was humble and ready to be used. So who is the greatest among you? Mark 10:44 (KJV) And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 

A Servant is different from a slave. A servant is voluntary and has a willingness to help others, a slave is not. Every slave is a servant, but every servant is not a slave. Romans 1:1 (KJV) Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, that’s how the Apostle described himself. There’s no greatness in a servant but a servant does great things. 

• Jesus identify the problem “who should be the greatest” 

• Then Jesus addressed the issue “If any man desire to be first ” If you want to be the most important person 

• Jesus addresses the Solution “the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” must take the last place and be a servant to everyone else.

We all have great ambitions, big dreams, maybe even  being in the highlights, the leader of the pack. So how is the best way of get there? It’s not by using others or belittling others so you might look good. No it’s by being a servant to others. The late Zig Ziglar said it like this “You Can Have Everything In Life You Want, If You Will Just Help Enough Other People Get What They Want.” Sounds like Jesus to me. The joy of life is Jesus first then Others and then Yourself. 

Matthew 6:33 (KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Remember Ray? You know, Ray Blankenship, The 62 year old man who  jumped in rushing water to save Jessica L. O’Connell  from drowning. He first saw the problem, then he addressed the issue and came up with a solution. Little did Ray know nor did he even think as he rushed into raging water that he would ever be recognized for what he did at great cost to himself. For his daring rescue, Ray Blankenship was awarded the Coast Guard’s Silver Lifesaving Medal. The award is fitting, for Ray was at even greater risk to himself than most people knew. Ray Blankenship could not swim.