Thoughts for the Day

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house Jesus asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about 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.’ The 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.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Oh dear, human nature doesn't change, does it? From childhood to maturity we are often encouraged to be the best. If we play tennis we are expected to be good at it; if we can remember facts we should beat all the opposition to become a quiz champion; if we're good at music we must get top marks in our exams; and if we play football we must become a professional footballer!

Jesus has asked the disciples what they were arguing about and there is total silence, no-one is prepared to tell him the truth. Then he sits down. This is the formal position for a Rabbi to teach his disciples. They have been thinking of the Messiah and his Kingdom, and their position in it, so Jesus' words are meant to shock them. They are to be the servants of all. It was no coincidence that the word 'deacon' would be used for clergy at ordination, for the Greek word, diákonos, means 'servant'.

Then Jesus shocks them again. He picks up a tiny child, the most insignificant person in the house, with less worth than a slave until they come of age. When we welcome a child in his name, he says, we welcome him and the Father who sent him. Ultimately it's not important for the Christian to be the best at anything, unless it be our faith in the words of Jesus!

Lord Jesus,
You shocked Your disciples
into understanding their role
and their place in Your kingdom.
You taught them to welcome
an infant as the most important person,
and that when this happened they
were welcoming You and Your Father.
May we too learn what is important
about our faith and learn to trust
in Your words.
Amen.