Focus:
kjv@Revelation:14:12 @ Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
(
FaithOfJesus thread begun by r
RandyP )
Today's Verse:
kjv@Mark:9:33-37
kjv@Mark:9:33 @ And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
kjv@Mark:9:34 @ But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
kjv@Mark:9:35 @ And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
kjv@Mark:9:36 @ 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,
kjv@Mark:9:37 @ 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.
Today's notes:
Context:
- Before - all things possible
- After - Forbid him not
Key Concepts:
filter:NT-GOSPEL him that sent me
What is God's righteousness observed doing?:
- Being aware of a heated conversation amongst the traveling disciples.
- Confronting an issue that the disciples would rather hold their peace on. Using the illustration of a child to embody the lesson therein.
What does this tell us about God's righteousness?:
- The condition of the heart is the first issue not the position of responsibility received. A heart that seeks it's own is a heart prone to dispute and rift. The condition of the pure heart seeks the needs of others above it's own, avoids dispute, accepts it's lesser position as a servant.
- The teaching involves the receiving of a child. In order to receive a child, one assumes the serious responsibility for his well fare and necessity much like a parent. It is a model of both nurturing the child and being guardian over. The parent is an ideal illustration of a servant, the opposite of a politician stumping for himself who is best for the elected position. Receiving such child in Christ's name makes the responsibility all the more profound and Christ's name being the same as the HIM who sent Christ seals the matter of the child's keep. Who is the child? Any child of God!
How is man reacting?:
- Wishing rather to remain silent.
Notes:
We had mentioned the Transfiguration perhaps being a bench mark turning point of the earthly ministry:
The issue arises from the previous context of Jesus describing His death and there being uncertainty as to what that means as well as an odd instance when a few select disciples were pulled away to do something with Jesus on the mountain that they are seeming not willing to talk about. This is them (all) projecting into the future after Christ's departure where each of them would stand. Projection is dangerous business. They are likely still thinking in terms of the kingdom being a restoration of present Israel which is confusing the two separate matters. The puzzle pieces are leading them to consider an immediate return after His death(?) to take over the son of David role of magnificent political and military conqueror/king; a role for which will need many great counselors, diplomats and judges. How then to now have they been groomed for this? They haven't it is beginning to dawn on them. If this was their line of thinking, it would make for quite a debate no doubt, but off base and lesson plan.
A child typically doesn't know what is going to happen, makes very few projections other than just being there and experiencing it. The child trusts that his parents are looking out for him and will provide whatever it is that the situation future will require. His ambition is that he will remain part of the family and loved. His obedience is based upon what he sees the others doing for the good of the family.
In other similar references, we sense the direction pointed is our own hearts being like that of a child's. The difference here is that we are receiving the child in the context of service. I picture a knock at the door and a basket at the step, oh look someone left their baby, I receive it in Christ's name. It is a picture of what it means to be a servant; to put himself/herself last to be first for the child. Having the heart of a child would help to be a better nurturer yes, but being serious minded equally makes for a better guardian/servant. The receiving of a child becomes the mindset for all Christian obedience and ministry.
Key Messages:
What does this say about our present condition?
- While our situation now differs from the disciples knowing the extra facts that we know of how the plan thus far has unfolded, our tendency to elevate self and position is no different. If dispute was a sign of this then, it is certainly a sign of it now. Their's was an issue ahead of the pulling together of the "Body", our's is now keeping the "Body" together and on track moving forward.
- Without the sense of this adult responsibility we can easily confuse the symbology to think that we are the child and that everyone should be serving us. It is to say that we receive ourselves as a child in Christ's name. Paul once warned us of the many infantile Christians that desire only the milk of the word and not the meat. Today we have the assembly halls filled with Christians that go to church, judge which church by what serves their needs best, rest back into their pews and let the few grown ups serve their every need, some even with gall to elect and hire presbytery like they would politicians for their own entitlement.
- No matter how young in Christ you are there is someone, many someones, that you will find spiritually younger than you. One quickly must take the responsibility for others, much like in the day of the one room school house. The older one gets the more responsibility for the kids younger than him/her becomes. It is not that any one age of kids knows everything before taking all responsibility, it is that the process of every child's education and development is looked after by the entire group. Who then is to say who is greater?
Further Resources:
Comment Board:Mark:9:33-37
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Mark:9:33-37 rwp@Mark:9:33-37 mhcc@Mark:9:33-37
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index
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