My family was eating at a mall food court. My middle son couldn’t finish all of his food, so he got up to find a take-home box. After being gone for quite a while, he finally returned. When we asked him why it had taken him so long, he told us that customers kept jumping in front of him and that the servers kept looking over him. As I held back my tears, I told him about a child in the Bible that Jesus didn’t overlook.
Jesus was discussing His upcoming betrayal and death, but His disciples didn’t get it. It’s likely they failed to grasp Jesus’ words due to the fact that they were busy arguing over who was going to be the greatest (Mark 9:34). Sitting down, Jesus taught them a vital discipleship principle—greatness is open to everyone, all who are willing to be last and a slave to all (Mark 9:35).
His point was that His kingdom is about position— the lowest one. Then He drove home the point with a powerful and literal illustration. He placed a child—a culturally helpless, emotionally vulnerable, and socially invisible child—among the disciples, embraced him, and challenged them to welcome him in His name. In welcoming him, they would be welcoming the Father. Jesus was teaching that greatness in the kingdom of God is all about ministering, especially to those of lower status.
Because Jesus led through suffering and humility, we’re called to lead through serving instead of being served. Jesus wants us to embrace humility instead of pride, and to be first to serve the culturally vulnerable instead of the socially powerful. We can live out this counter-natural principle by repenting of our status-consciousness state, entering the world of suffering with the sufferer, embracing the socially invisible, and by serving people intentionally and unexpectedly.
More:
• Matthew 25:31-46
• John 13:1-11
Next:
What does it mean to welcome someone in Jesus’ name? How can you do that in your everyday actions and attitudes?
cuddles on October 10, 2010 at 8:58 am
What if I’m not very good at this, what if I cannot cope physically or mentally with suffering, what if I’ve already had a breakdown because of failure to cope, what then. What if I am the one who needs ministry but all I get from those around me, including religious leaders is condemnation, pull yourself together attitude, we’ve all got our crosses to bear attitude. Do you know that I would probably get more help from a non believer than a christian when it comes to this matter. You see in their eyes this is a unchristian failure I cannot be in God’ blessing or I would not have this illness in the first place’. Why is it that mental illness will always have a ? over it! It is simple in their mind for if they can cope why can I not cope. This raises great questions for me for when I was 10 years old my mother said we had been cursed because of her illegitimacy. I did not think much of it at the time but I am now 56 years old and a lot of bad stuff has happened in my family to make me now believe what my mother said. My sons are already experiencing difficulties in their lives. I have been raised to believe that Christ died for our sins and I do believe this but I do not see God at work in this modern world and I believe this is mainly due to christians being the same type of christians we had in Jesus’s day which doesn’t do much for God’s reputation. I believe that my mother suffered not only for her own sins but also for the sins of her father (father unknown to her) and there are other families I see this happening to. I must say I am a very confused christian but I trust God to ultimately change the hearts of his people and bless us all through them, as unlike man God is a just God.
daisymarygoldr on October 10, 2010 at 8:28 pm
This vital discipleship principle leads me to speak for the cause of many children that are torn by dysfunctional marriages and subjected to untold pain and suffering. And all of this is because of sinful pride of selfish men and women who choose their own happiness and well-being at the cost of their children’s.
Deserted by their very own parents or drawn through custody battles that make them feel like objects to be owned, these young victims are unable to form and sustain long-term relationships.
The tragedy of shattered homes has devastating consequences when separated parents decide to date or remarry, exposing their children to the lurking dangers of child-molestation, abuse and violence.
What is more, when broken promises and unrequited love fosters feelings of insecurity, it often results in life long emotional instability. While half of these children get involved with sex, drugs and alcohol, others grow up to become mistrustful of marriage and don’t want to have children of their own.
How is the Church living counter naturally in order to intentionally and unexpectedly serve the culturally vulnerable—innocent children?
plumbape on October 14, 2010 at 10:24 am
This lady knows what she is talking about…..
Amen Daisy
little light on October 10, 2010 at 10:38 pm
There are certain truths we learn from God’s Word which we ought to believe and confess, many times, it is truth that sets us free, so Cuddles, there is this website that you can go to, poonen.org, where you can come across many articles that will help you in your life.
Once we have repented and believed in Jesus, He has placed you in Christ and then there is no curse. It is the devil who always brings in thoughts of condemnation, but we can overcome him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. God is always on our side against Satan. He loves us just as He loved His own Son Jesus, So rest in His love, He will never leave us nor forsake us.
The following truths has helped me so much in my life and this is from the website mentioned above, praying that the Lord may open your inner eyes to see how much He loves you and the spiritual blessings you can claim
1. God the Father loves me as He loved Jesus – So I will always rejoice (John 17:23).
2. God has forgiven me all my sins – So I will never live with guilt (1 Jn.1:9; Heb.8:12).
3. God will fill me with His Holy Spirit – So I will be strong enough for every task (Luke 11:13).
4. God has determined all my boundaries – So I will always be content (Acts 17:26; Heb.13:5).
5. God’s commands are ALL for my good – So I want to obey ALL of God’s commands (1 Jn.5:3: Deut.10:13).
6. God controls ALL people and events that affect me – So I will always give thanks (Rom.8:28).
7. Jesus defeated Satan and freed me from his power – So I will never be afraid (Heb.2:14,15; Heb.13:6).
8. God wants to make me a blessing – So I WILL be a blessing to others (Gen.12:2; Gal.3:14)
“Without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Heb.11:6).
JESSY123 on October 11, 2010 at 8:50 am
YESTERDAYS’ SERMON “BEWARE” WAS SOOOO APPROPO. I HAD BEEN LISTENING TO A BIBLE TEACHER ON TV LATELY AND COULD NOT GET ENOUGH OF HIS “WISDOM”.
SOME THINGS WERE NOT SETTING RIGHT THOUGH WITH HIS TEACHINGS. I LOOKED HIM UP ON YOUTUBE TO FIND SOME PRETTY INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT HIM. THE MOST CONVINCING THING THE HOLY SPIRIT LED ME TO WAS THE VERSE I JOHN 2:27-28 THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR TEACHER, AND THAT WE DON’T NEED TEACHERS SUCH AS THIS.
cuddles on October 11, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Thank you little light this is a great help.