Today’s Devotion
Topic: Who Is The Greatest? (Self Assessment)
Background:
Right in the presence of Peter, James and John, Jesus had been transfigured, Elijah and Moses to His one side and the other. As they descended from the mountain of transfiguration, Jesus delivered a young boy possessed by an evil spirit. The other disciples had earlier tried in vain to cast out the demon.
Then as Jesus continued with them to Capernaum, an arguement ensued between the disciples about who the greatest among them was. Though the bible did not really explain the cause of the argument, we can deduce that, probably, those who saw the transfiguration felt more privileged than the rest, especially since the others could not drive out an evil spirit till Jesus came in.
Who wouldn’t love to be the first among equals? The head and not tail? The leader and not servant? But Jesus taught them that day, that the sure way to becoming first, is to be the very last, serving all. Wow!
How is that going to work? What does the Master even mean by that? For answers to these and many more, let us delve deeper into our Bible study for today. Remember to share the revelations the Holy Spirit gives you with us on this same social media platform. We learn a lot from you.
Text 1: Mark 9: 33- 35
33 They came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
Text 2: Mark 10: 42- 45
42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Amen
Questions:
1) By the wisdom of the world or common sense, what does it mean for one to be the greatest among his/her colleagues?
2) According to Jesus, the surest way to become the first is to be the “very last, and the servant of all.” What does this mean?
3) The one who wants to be FIRST, Jesus says must be the very last, and the servant of all. Why the servant of all? Is it not number one position he is aspiring for (that is to be the FIRST)? Why must he now become THE SERVANT OF ALL?
4) What do you think are some of the reasons why serving others is so difficult for many, although we all want to be great?
5) In Jesus’ day, “the rulers of the Gentiles did lord over their subjects, and the high officials exercised great authority over all.” Do you think, this is exactly the case in our present world? Please explain your answer.
6) In your opinion, what did Jesus mean when He said “even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many?” Can we, as modern day believers, do same? If so, in what practical ways?
7) What have you learnt from today’s Bible study?
As we desire earthly greatness at all levels, may we aspire to have our names written in the book of life too. Click: https://youtu.be/6pcWIlEFP1Y
(www.yonghana.org; Like our Facebook page: Y OUTREACH NETWORK)
