Mark 9:30-37

Taking Up the Cross - Each of Jesus’ predictions that pepper the central section of Mark’s gospel (8:31-10:45) focus on a confrontation and showdown in Jerusalem that will result in suffering and death. The three predictions seem a clarion call to martyrdom. Surprisingly, in what follows, however, as Juel points out, "it is not so much the prospect of death that is the focus. The issue seems more a matter of status." [1] Such is clear in our lesson today-Jesus predicts his impending suffering and the disciples respond with a power-grasping discussion among themselves.

Mark’s Call to a Cruciform Life -It may be the single most important message the author wishes to convey: there is no life without death, and no Easter without crucifixion . . . for Mark, to be a Christian means to follow Jesus on his way; to drink the cup of suffering; to be concerned with the salvation of others, and less-if at all-with one’s own life and well-being. [2]

Commitment to Hospitality - Children had no status in this ancient society-quite a contrast to the ambitions reflected by the lunchroom talk among the disciples. Without status and under the authority of others, children were viewed as little more than property. "Membership within the community of the faithful will involve giving status to those who have none . . . Hospitality to the unimportant will be a hallmark of the circle of Jesus’ followers, as it was in Jesus’ own ministry. And this has everything to do with faithfulness to the one whose rejection and death mark the way to glory." [3]

 

Name "pecking orders" that you have observed in family, work, and church.

Why does Jesus select a child as an object lesson on the true greatness in the kingdom? Why were the disciples concerned about which of them was the greatest?

What can you do in Jesus’ name? How does Jesus’ idea of greatness differ from the success/greatness portrayed in film and television shows?

 

I’ve run across two fine homilies that have this lesson as their focus. First, Barbara Brown Taylor offers a sermon in which she notices how Jesus "has a thing about children." [4] The homily quickly moves to adult qualities of status and power-grabbing ambition. The second homiletic idea comes from Richard Jensen. He picks up this story of the disciples arguing about greatness on the heels of Jesus’ passion prediction in light of Mark’s larger story. Also and excellent piece of work.

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[1] Donald H. Juel, The Gospel of Mark (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1999), page 129.
[2] Werner H. Kelber, Mark’s Story of Jesus (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1979), pp. 47-48.
[3] Richard A. Jensen, Preaching Mark’s Gospel (Lima, Ohio: CSS Publ, 1996), page 144.
[4] Barbara Brown Taylor, Bread of Angels (Boston: Cowley Press, 1997), pp. 131-135.