Mark 9:30-37 is the lectionary text for Sunday, September 19
Jesus again told them what it meant for Him to be Messiah - self sacrifice for the good of all. They were not interested enough in that to ask what it meant.
Instead, they argued about who was the greatest. Number One. Champion over the other disciples. Jesus had a teaching moment, and used it.
It is in empire that status above others is valued. The Roman iteration of empire thrived on it, was built on it. Somebody had to feel like they were better than, above, higher than someone else. Pride, hubris and arrogance drive this kind of thinking - that is empire.
Jesus told them that the greatest in the Kingdom, in His Way, is the one who makes themselves last with regard to the well-being of others. The first is the last, the last first in Jesus' Kingdom. Humbling oneself to serve a child. Caring for "the least", the most vulnerable who most need our care, is the GREATEST thing one can do as a follower of Jesus.
You can recite scripture until you are blue in the face, use it to hurt others, worship without missing a Sunday, tithe, praise Jesus, "save souls" and live the purest, holiest life of anyone around you. What will make you GREAT in the eyes of Jesus, is how you care for the most vulnerable among us while humbling yourself so as not to get credit for it.
Empire AIN'T the Kingdom of God. Its values are not God's values as we have been taught, commanded and modeled by Jesus. Agape Love means lifting others up in humility, and gaining nothing for self while doing it.
THAT is faithfulness to Jesus.
Pastor Jamie
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