How many times do we truly welcome someone who can't help us get ahead? Stop and think about this for a moment. In churches, what is our motive for welcoming people? Is it because we are excited to be part of someone's faith journey? Or is it that someone chose us? Or that we think that person may just be perfect to serve on a committee and help boost our numbers again?
In Mark 9: 33-37, we, through the lens of the disciples, are asked to evaluate our motives. Do we do what we do as disciples to bring ourselves glory or to bring God glory? Do we want to be the greatest or to be a servant? Are we willing to risk showing the authentic love of Christ without getting a reward?
The Gospel of Mark, and particularly this passage, invites us to look into our hearts and confess the times when we have made the Good News about us and not about Christ. To turn to God and ask for forgiveness for times when we have not willingly set ourselves aside for the sake of the Kingdom. And to renew our commitment to serving God with all we have and all we are so that God's name may be proclaimed.
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