Mark 9:33  And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
34  But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
35  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.
36  And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37  Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Jesus knew the thoughts of men. We read that many times in the Gospels. In our text He asked His disciples to tell Him what they had been disputing among themselves. Sometimes, when we tell someone in authority what we have been doing, we realize just how foolish we were. We find that to be true in our text. The disciples were too ashamed to admit what they had been doing. They knew better than what they had been doing, but the flesh was still holding a big sway in their lives.
Jesus knew how to handle every situation that arose. He knew He needed to address this matter. Rather than just scolding them or getting angry with them, He sat them down and reasoned with them. Jesus pointed out that those who are striving for the top spot will miss out. When a person has their sights on the top spot, they often trample on others to get there. Jesus taught the proper way to approach life.
He pointed out that the proper way to grow into leadership positions is to become a servant to all. Servants cannot be prejudiced. They need to be willing to accept orders from their masters. They need to be willing to work together with other servants. The life of a servant becomes much more tolerable when you share the load with others servants. An obedient servant will find more favour with a master than a servant who is bucking at the rules.
Jesus emphasized His point by taking a child and setting him in their midst. We read that Jesus took this child in His arms. This suggests that this was a little child. We do not read that this child was kicking and screaming. He was not protesting being taken up by Jesus. He seemed to be a trusting child who was willing to be held by Jesus.
This child was an unusual child in today’s world. Unless parents are actively involved in their young child’s life, it can be quite stubborn and self-willed. The child that Jesus chose was obviously not that way.
Jesus talked of the importance of receiving such a child. Jesus stated that doing so would be the same as receiving Jesus. Truly being saved is not a status symbol. There was a time in history where being a Christian was seen as a respectable thing. Of course the term Christian referred to quite a broad range of thinking. Catholics are still classified as Christians, but they are not. Those who are true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ are never popular. Jesus warned that if His followers were hated, they must remember that they hated Jesus first.
Raising a child takes much work. It requires patience and perseverance. Young children need much care. They need to be taught how to keep themselves clean. They need to be taught how to eat properly. They need to be looked after by providing food and clothing for them. Children cannot repay the work done for them. They can be demanding at times. Yes, there are little things they can learn to do, however, there is much more input into young children than there is payback. The payback is in knowing you are helping someone who is helpless. The thanks comes from serving God by looking after the child.
Jesus stated that in receiving a young child in Jesus’ name, it is like receiving Him. In the context, receiving Jesus would be willingly serving Him. Serving Jesus is not about getting awards and degrees. It is often a thankless task. The rewards are spiritual but not always material.
Jesus fed and healed many. He cast out many devils. He taught the truth and exposed the heresies of the Pharisees. There was no end to the many who needed healing and feeding. There seemed to be many who were possessed of devils. Wherever Jesus went, the people found Him and they flocked to Him. He was kept busy from morning to evening. The demands of the people upon Jesus were constant. People did not come to Him and tell Him to rest. They came with their sick and with their possessed ones. They always expected Him to be ready to serve them.
Jesus never complained about the work He was called to do. He thanked His Father for the opportunities given Him. He rebuked the Pharisees and exposed their false teaching. He rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith and being slow learners. However, He continued to teach the truth to all that came to Him.
Jesus further stated that those who would receive Him would indicate they were receiving God the Father. Jesus was again teaching the importance of believing in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was God. He came to provide salvation for mankind. There is no salvation apart from knowing the true God. Those who receive God the Father and God the Son have no time to squabble over greatness. Those who submit to God’s authority understand they are nothing without Him. God created man. God provides the sunshine and the rain for the crops to grow. He provides the needed weather conditions for the crops to grow and the harvest to come off. He provides health and strength to do the work required to get the crop off and into the barn.
More importantly, God provides the only way for man to be forgiven of sin and be saved. He offers man eternal life without payment. It is a gift of God.
Jesus taught His disciples the importance of an attitude adjustment. When we become servants of God, we see things completely different. The competitive nature is gone and the love of God which produces a love for man takes over. We serve God, not to see what we can get out of it, but rather to be able to be a blessing to others. We are willing to be slandered as Jesus was. We are willing to help the lost to reconsider their rebellion against the truth. We offer them the same hope that God has blessed us with. It does not matter what position we are given by the Lord, we need that servant attitude. It is a blessing to be able to serve the Lord by helping others to see the blessing of knowing the truth. Not many will receive the truth, but it is important to help people to know the truth.
Pastor Bartel