Day 32: Jesus turns everything upside down
If you like basketball, you’ll know that Michael Jordan is the GOAT. This doesn’t mean that he’s a furry animal. It means he’s the greatest basketball player of all time. Fans of different sports debate who is the GOAT of each one. And even if you don’t like sports, you might care about the GOAT of your favorite kind of music or dance. But in our passage today, Jesus turns our natural ideas of greatness, power, and status on their heads.
Where did Jesus and His disciples go (v. 30)?
Jesus was raised in Galilee, and He started His public ministry there, but Mark tells us that this time He wanted to keep a low profile. Why (v. 31)?
What was Jesus teaching His disciples (v. 31)?
This is the second time since Peter recognizes Jesus as the Messiah that Jesus has predicted His death and resurrection (see Mark 8:31–32).
How did the disciples respond to Jesus teaching them that He would be killed and raised to life (v. 32)?
What did Jesus ask them when they got to Capernaum—the fishing village in Galilee where Jesus had begun His public ministry (v. 33)?
How did His disciples respond to Jesus’ question (v. 34)?
Why didn’t the disciples answer Jesus (v. 34)?
Jesus knows what His disciples have been talking about, just like He knew what the teachers of the law were thinking when He told the paralyzed man his sins were forgiven (Mark 2:6–8).
What does Jesus say to His disciples in response to their argument about which of them was the greatest (v. 35)?
How is Jesus’ teaching here the opposite of what we might normally expect?
In Jesus’ day, many people worked as servants or even slaves. They were seen as much less important than the people they were serving. But Jesus turns this upside down and says that anyone who wants to be important must be the servant of everyone else.
What did Jesus do next (v. 36)?
What does Jesus say about little children (v. 37)?
Today, we wouldn’t think it was strange for an important person to spend time with a little child. But at the time when Jesus was teaching, children were seen as insignificant. Important people would not bend down and welcome a child. But Jesus did, and He said that’s how His followers should act as well.
Do you ever feel insignificant because of your age?
How does Jesus’ teaching here help you think differently about yourself?
Thank Jesus that He cares about the people who seem least important. Ask Him to help you be the kind of person who is more focused on serving others than on getting ahead yourself.