Mark 9:33-41 (NRSV)
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.”
Devotion
How do these incidents relate to each other, to our Lenten theme, to us? Their connection is the human ego. The disciples in this passage and others are self-centered, thinking more of their roles and prestige than of their mission. The twelve feel superior to those outside of Jesus’ inner circle, even to ones using Jesus’ name for good purpose but without correct membership credentials or ritual words. It’s not just an “us versus them” situation, but one of several instances of juggling for the most favorable position within their group and Jesus asserting that real discipleship means being last rather than first. I especially like Mark’s placement of the “Jesus and the Children” story between two examples of distorted views of discipleship. We aren’t told how the disciples reacted to the child incident, but no doubt they would much prefer welcoming a king, or even a king’s child, to get more attention and fame.
The clearest connection to our Lenten theme, “A New and Right Spirit,” is the word “new.” The disciples left their families and occupations to follow Jesus, were listening to his lessons and participating in his actions, yet they had not shed their human pride. Oops! I shouldn’t write about applicability of the passage to “us” but also to “ME.” It’s easy to laugh and frown at the pre-Resurrection disciples, but we and I are post-Resurrection and should recognize how closely we repeat their mistakes, when we should know better.
I’ve been an active church member for over 70 years, many of them in positions of leadership, but never completely humble, “childlike” in the best sense, or free of eagerness for approval, recognition, and authentication. Upon reflection, my greatest discipleship “achievements” have been ones known only to God and person(s) affected, and some not even known to me until years later. Neither I nor others at LPC should focus more on the number of items on our list of good deeds or causes than on what is in our hearts, how we can help others in hidden ways, how we can truly and fully confess our shortcomings in thought, word, and deed and “repent” (“turn around”).
Prayer
Dear Lord, do not let me ignore this Bible passage because I’m not an official “disciple” or exorcist, or any privileged category of believer or questioner. Don’t let me excuse my neglect of your Word by thinking I am already doing “enough” or being too perfect or imperfect to change. Give me a “New and Right Spirit” for this Lent and beyond. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Carroll Leslie Bastian