Sunday 22 September 2024

Psalm 1

Background
Today in Mark’s Gospel we meet with Jesus, not in a crowd but in private conversation with those he had called to be his disciples. I am sure they would be very happy to have him to themselves and would have listened avidly so they could understand what they were being called to do and be, as his followers.

I am also sure they were shocked when Jesus began to speak about what was to happen to him, saying he was to be betrayed, taken into custody and killed. They did not understand why this was going to happen. As people who hung on his every word they were afraid to ask for more details.

As they come to Capernaum, Jesus asked them about the argument he had overheard as they discussed not only what he had said, but who might take over as leader. They did not know how to answer and so it was Jesus himself who spoke, uttering those memorable and profound words: “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” (v. 35) The one who thought himself to be the leader would not actually find himself in that position, but would need to become the servant of the others. The illustration Jesus acted out is a very telling one, perhaps particularly in our day and age. He picked up a small child, and said those words which are so important: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me, welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” (v 37)

Jesus reminds us, as he reminded the 12 disciples, that we need to trust God – the one who cares for us – in the same way a small child trusts the person caring for them. With that trust comes a duty to continue Jesus' work as his disciples in our day.

To Ponder:

• I wonder how we would react to hearing that Jesus is going to leave us. Would we have thought, like the disciples, which of us should take the lead? How would we react to hearing that it would not necessarily be the most strong-willed or most articulate, but the one with the trust of a child in the God who had called them?
• How should we react when those in very strong church leadership roles seem to have overlooked Jesus' teaching about the love of God and importantly love of our neighbours, whoever those neighbours might be?
• Are there times when we hide away within the safety of our buildings to prevent us having to interact with those neighbours, using the excuse that they are not like us in whatever way that might be?

Prayer
As we hear the challenge given to the disciples, help us to take up that same challenge in our lives today. Like the first disciples, may we truly give over our lives to be used for the work of God's kingdom. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Pat Billsborrow
Pat came into ministry 37 years ago and she has been a supernumerary for 18 years. She is happy to continue serving wherever she is needed.