Daily Devotional

-January 29, 2021-

Good morning, happy Friday,

-How To Be First In The Kingdom Of God: Be Last And Servant Of All-

“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.’”

(Mark 9:35).

Today’s text is what we call in modern vernacular, “a teachable moment.” Jesus is the Master teacher and we as His disciples are His followers. Jesus used moments like this not to scold the twelve disciples but to shape them. On this occasion, the lesson was on on greatness and prominence in the kingdom. They had debated on the road which one of them was the greatest. Jesus knew the answer but still asked them the question in Mark 9:33, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” They kept silent for they disputed among themselves who was the greatest. I think they were embarrassed to admit it.

Jesus tells them, “…If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Normally in business, government, sports, or any other organization, the brightest, strongest, and most talented climb the ladder of success and become leaders. The first are the first, and the last are last, and there are many in the middle. Jesus turns it upside down by saying the way to be first is to be last of all and servant of all. Jesus taught humility and servanthood by example.

This was a hard lesson for the disciples as it is for us. The issue came up on several occasions and Jesus patiently taught them. The flesh is so strong in all of us. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak as Jesus said. Jesus even brought in a little child to show them how each of them are children of God. Jesus said in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

In the upper room, Jesus taught and showed them how to be last and servant of all. He took the place of a servant or slave and took water and a towel and washed the feet of each disciple one by one. Jesus said to them in John 13:13-15, “…Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”

Leaders in the church are followers of Christ, and servants among the flock. They are not to lead by force, but by example in the love of Christ. They are teachers and trainers for the saints to do the ministry of the Lord. May the Lord help us to take the lowly place, to be last and servant of all. Let the Lord use us to be examples to others. There is great power in humility and service. This is especially true when we take on menial in tasks and ones that no one else wants to do. When doing them silently and in secret, the Lord is glorified.

Have a blessed day and weekend humbly serving the Lord as examples to others. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean