Note: (CL) = Controling Lesson (OT) = Old Testament (OTA) = Old Testament Alternative (NT) = New Testament (NTA) = New Testament Alternative (G) = Gospel (GA) = Gospel Alternative (Ps) = Psalm; one of these will follow all lessons for the week.

Note: Please be sure to look at previous posts because some of the week may have already been posted.


Sunday, January 13, 2013

The Second Sunday after Epiphany (GA)

Mark 9:30-37
30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “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.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. 
33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 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.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” 

The Disciples keep silent because they know they have done something wrong.  They do not want to tell Jesus what they know he already knows.  But why didn't Jesus want anyone to know he was passing through Galilee?  Is this because he has done something wrong?  More than likely it is because he has now set his face to go to Jerusalem.

After confronting his disciples, Jesus sat down with a special few.  He takes a child and places it in their midst.  He uses this child as an illustration of the least, weakest, and last of all.  Many people may talk about how children were viewed in the First Century culture, but think of a child as servant or one who is served.  Depending on the age of Child, it will either have to help work in the family business or it will need someone to take care of them.

Now listen to the last line, "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me."  The one who gives a child a cup of water in my name will be blessed.  The one who serves children, orphans, widows, slaves, and their neighbor in the name of Christ, has the love of God.  Jesus Christ has become servant of all for you.



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