Anglican Devotional 2 October 2022 – Christians Relationship And Service

TOPIC: Christians Relationship And Service

READ: MARK 9:33-41 (NKJV)

33. Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?”
34. But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who [would be the] greatest.
35. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
36. Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them,
37. “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”
38. Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”
39. But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.
40. “For he who is not against us is on our side.
41. “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.

THE MESSAGE:

Today’s passage is about the disputes among the disciples of Jesus Christ. Firstly, there arose a dispute among them concerning their ambitions as to who would be the greatest. This dispute came severally among them any time Jesus talked about His death and departure. Such talk generated carnal ambitions among the disciples as to who would take the place of Jesus in their supposed earthly kingdom (Matthew 18:1-6; Luke 22:24-30). Jesus, whose kingdom is heavenly shocked them with His illustration of a lad, that one can be the greatest in God’s kingdom only when one learns the spirit of being a servant (verse 37). Secondly, the dispute between the disciples and other men who used the name of Jesus to work miracle was settled by Jesus in verses 38-41.

Jesus admonished them not to discourage the good work of those who are not of their group. A Christian should aspire to be a servant-leader. Part of our good work is to serve others for kingdom’s purpose. We should also be a source of encouragement to those who are doing good works in Christ irrespective of their denominations. This can be effectively done if we allow God’s love in our lives as today’s Collect (Trinity XVI) says; “Lord God, you have taught us that anything we do without love is worth nothing, for whoever lives without love is counted dead before You…” Such people cannot see any good thing in others.

PRAYER: O God, pour in our hearts the most excellent gift of love, to live in harmony with one another in Jesus’ Name. Amen.