February 19, 2017

LAST IS FIRST, FIRST IS LAST

Mark 9:33-35

Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Personal Challenge

Don't we all like to be first? First in line. The first one to be served. The first one to be recognized. In our fallen state, this is our "natural" desire. But Jesus tells us that this is not the way that God wants it to be. His expectation is that we put others before ourselves and actually be servants to them. Isn't this what Jesus did? He was with God in all of His glory. He had been here on earth multiple times in His pre-incarnate body. He knew the limitations and frailties of humanness. And yet, He chose to become human, He chose to be born of a woman like every other human being. He chose to go through the growth pains and challenges of infancy, the toddler years, being a pre-teen, a teen, and then a man holding down the job of a carpenter. He chose to suffer and die for those who hated Him. And He chose to rise again, victorious over death. And to top this all off, He did this for people like me. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner and teach me to be last!