The Greatest is Least
Mark 9:30-37
September 23, 2018 – Redeemer
We’ve heard it a thousand times. We hear it every Lord’s day. Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again three days later. The disciples had heard it twice.
We can hear it, confess it, and recite it, and not even think about what it means. Shame on us. The disciples hear it, for only the second time. “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” (Mark 9:31, ESV) They don’t get it. Jesus has clearly demonstrated Himself to be God. Three of them have witnessed firsthand the glory of God shining brightly in the flesh of Jesus in His transfiguration. He has fed thousands, healed hundreds, walked on water and calmed storms, the crowds are still gathering around. The Messiah they have waited for is to rule in victory. How could He die? And what in the world is a resurrection? How could they imagine what that would be like – do you know anyone who has risen from the dead?
They didn’t understand and they didn’t want to ask. You know how this goes. You go to the doctor for one thing and after the tests your doctor says, “Well, you know we spotted something else.” And your reply is, “How about those Vikings? Got any travel plans doc?” You don’t want to know so you don’t ask. The disciples don’t want to know about Jesus’ death so they don’t ask.
But as they walk along the road to Capernaum the disciples obviously thought about what Jesus said. It’s possible that they actually latched on to that resurrection talk or certainly to the idea that the road Jesus was travelling was coming to an end. If Jesus was put to death – if the world killed God, then the end was near. And maybe, just maybe, that would be the final straw and God would vindicate His people. And then, maybe we who gave up everything for Jesus will finally get what’s coming to us.
Somehow after Jesus gave them that map of His journey – the path of suffering, death, and then resurrection, the disciples mapped out their path to glory. After Jesus says, “I’m going to die,” the disciples say, “What’s in it for me?” Peter said, “Well, I gave up my fishing business. You know I was winning on Wicked Tuna this year.” Matthew said, “Well, I gave up tax collecting – a government job. I could have retired already, but as a preacher I’ll never retire.” James and John said, “Well, obviously we’re the greatest. Jesus always includes us in his inner circle and besides that we left our family business behind and even our mother has come along to support Jesus. Yes, as they went along each one’s sacrifice, each one’s commitment became greater and greater. Who was the greatest? Thomas thought it was Thomas. Philip thought it was Philip.
Who’s the greatest person at Redeemer? Who’s the greatest person in your pew? The person that gives the most, drives the greatest distance, has the most difficult time getting here. In your thoughts and deeds do you justify yourself – that for this reason or that reason you’re better than her, greater than him. Do you excuse your failings, while holding on to the sins and problems of others? In your last argument who did you think was right? You’re greater, aren’t you?
It’s interesting – when Jesus told His men about His death they didn’t ask Him anything. They didn’t want to talk about Jesus. And when He asks them what they are talking about (and you know how well they were talking about themselves) they are silent, for a long time. They just got caught doing what we all do – forgetting the cross and looking for my own glory.
It was time for the 12 once again to learn how the Kingdom of God works. “And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”” That’s not how the world works. That’s not how I work. “What about me?” asks Peter, James, John, and Bruce. You ask it too, don’t you?
“And [Jesus] took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.””
Now, the first thing you need to know is that children were the least of the lowest in the world of Jesus’ day. Children had no value in the Greco-Roman world. Infanticide (the killing of newborn children) was common, especially for female or deformed children. Child abandonment was not only common, but even part of the cult of Roman emperors. Children had no value in that world. On this day Jesus changes the world. He makes that child great.
What does the child do to be great? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. The child is called by Jesus, taken by Jesus, and embraced by Jesus. That’s the starting point for your greatness. You do nothing. Jesus does everything. You’re a damned sinner and He’s the Savior. You’ve got nothing to give Jesus except sin and He takes it and takes it away. You don’t have a single impulse toward God so by His Holy Spirit Jesus calls you and gives you faith in His Word. There’s no boasting about coming to Jesus. He called you. He received you. You have sin. He brings forgiveness. You’re dying. He brings life. You’re headed for the grave. He rose from the dead and promised you the same. You come to baptism filthy with sin and leave clothed in the robe of Christ’s righteousness. You come to the Lord’s house crying out, “Lord have mercy on me a sinner. I can’t believe what I did this week,” and He says, “I know exactly what you’ve done and I forgive you.” You come starving for life and He feeds you His risen body and blood. Jesus is the greatest and the greatness of everyone in the Kingdom. Your greatness is the death and resurrection of Jesus for you.
It must have been shocking for the disciples to see that child as an illustration of greatness. The least person in world is now wrapped in the arms of Jesus. That’s you – you know it – your sins are greater than anyone else here this morning (because you know what you’ve done and have no idea what the rest of us have done). You were least and now you’re the greatest – forgiven, God’s child, plunged once again in the death of baptism by confession and raised alive by the Word of forgiveness.
How do you live out the greatness of Jesus? Well, when you leave here this week and go wherever God sends you – you’ll probably run into some people who aren’t too great, whom the world has no regard for – a single mom, an unborn child, a friend struggling with sin or sickness. You won’t have to look too far – you see how divided our country is right now. We are addicted to arrogance. Show your greatness, show your Jesus, by receiving one of the least, by serving one of the lowest. When you make yourself least by serving someone else, you show your greatness – the great love, the great forgiveness that is yours in the name of Jesus.
Pr. Bruce Timm
September 22, 2018 anno Domini