The Greatest Among You

For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

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

But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

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.

                                                                    (Mark 9:31-35 KJV)

Wow! So much to cover in these five verses! 

Now, the disciples were a bit embarrassed to admit to Jesus that they had been busy debating who would be the greatest among them. But, Jesus knew. He knows everything that we say and think and do. He reminds them that the greatest among them would be the least among them. The greatest are those who humble themselves by serving others; by serving God. 

As we consider following in the footsteps of Jesus we remember that he is the King of Kings yet he was willing to humble himself to serve all people by suffering and dying on the cross for our sins. The disciples did not understand any of that; at least, not until after he was crucified and rose from the grave.   

God help us to love and serve others. Help our earthly rulers to also understand that they who would consider themselves above others are not above others but have debased themselves by their selfishness and greed for riches and power over others. Help us all to understand that the greatest among us are those who serve others. God grant us leaders who love you and the people they serve. 

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

To Whom Shall We God

 

But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

                                                                                 (John 6:64-49 KJV)

Where will we go? In times of severe trouble people sometimes stay away from their places of worship. Some are embarrassed because they think that people will  know about their problems and judge them. Others might be grieving and or depressed. There are many reasons that people use to not attend worship and hear the promises of God. But, that is exactly where we need to be when things get bad. We need to go and hear the promises of God in his Word that our faith might be strengthened (Rom 10:17) and to receive the gift of Communion with our Lord, the Son of the living God, and with one another that we might be refreshed.

When things get rough do you turn away from the Lord or do you turn to him to help you in your time of need?

When Jesus gave his followers a hard teaching, the teaching that they must partake of his body and blood, many turned away. It was too much for them. But, Peter and the other apostles would not turn away. Where would they go he had asked. After all, Jesus was the Christ. He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Why would you turn away for anything less?

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Not Ashamed of The Gospel

Share the Good News that God so loves us that He gave His

only begotten Son to die for us that we might be saved and live!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16 NIV )

Most of us would say that we would be willing to save our loved ones if they were in harm's way. We might even say that we would give our lives to save them. But, what would we give to save them from eternal death; of separation from our loving Father for all eternity? Would we dare to share the Gospel with them? Or would we be embarrassed because they may ridicule us for our faith? Would we be afraid of some persecution that might follow; even if it were very slight?

Paul was not ashamed. He was a well-esteemed Roman and Jew. Yet, when he came to know Jesus and the message that Jesus died so that all might live; Paul was not afraid to share that Good News. He shared it with everyone and not just those whom he personally knew and loved. He was not ashamed nor was he afraid of being persecuted for the truth. His desire that all should receive the truth and be saved was much greater than any fear that he may have had. His faith; in fact, overcame any fear.

Paul was not ashamed to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ. Are you? 

God's Peace - Pr. J