Luther Seminary

A daily devotion brought to you by the alumni of Luther Seminary

Friday, September 19, 2003

Mark 9:30-37 (NRSV)

Read Mark 9:30-37 on biblegateway.com

Verse 30They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; Verse 31for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." Verse 32But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.

Verse 33Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" Verse 34But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. Verse 35He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Verse 36Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, Verse 37"Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

Devotion

“Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Each new member at our congregation gets a “tool kit” of items needed for ministry in this place. One of the tools is a towel – the tool of a servant. A towel has so many uses for ministry. With a towel one can play a game, wash away dirt, dry, clean, dry tears, cover a wound, blot a stain.

“Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” What would that look like? Each one a servant, each one saying, “may I help you?” It would mean that the leaders follow and the followers lead. Pretty soon one wouldn’t be able to tell who is in charge for everyone seemed equal. Could it happen?

Prayer

Gracious God teach me that in leading I follow and in following I lead. Amen.

Suzanne O. Appelo Gull Harbor Lutheran Church, Olympia, Wash.

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