Mark 9:30-37 (NRSV)
Read Mark 9:30-37 on biblegateway.com
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
What does it mean to be a leader, at least a leader in the gospel sense? Here is the heart of our gospel for this week: Jesus says, "Whoever wants to first must be last of all and servant of all" (v. 35). This upends the "typical" definition of leadership; it ultimately drives us to the cross—and to laments. The disciples wish "greatness"—if only they knew what that would mean! Even when we acknowledge the role of servant-leader, we do things for accolades; we want to be praised and have the work that we do acknowledged. Of course, a servant can be praised, but that’s not why we do what we do. Leadership in the church properly functions as a sign that points to Christ. How we accomplish this in a world that often seems at odds with the Kingdom is truly the challenge of leadership in the church.
Prayer
Encompassing God, enfold us in your loving care. Christ is indeed servant of all. Help us to effectively live out Jesus' ideal of leadership. Help us to be as servants to others, as you have been a servant to us. Give us courage and strength to meet the world that seeks to define leadership in terms of power over, rather than power with, others. In Christ's name, guide our paths. Amen.