Least and Greatest
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.” 36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:33-37)
We like to think that we have a better understanding of Jesus and his teachings than his regularly confused original disciples. But in reality, we are no more likely than they were to actually live into Jesus' topsy turvy vision of how the world should be structured. When Jesus caught his disciples arguing about who was the greatest, he first told them that to be first they must serve everyone. Then, Jesus turned their attention to a child. Children, like servants, had no status, no value, that could be used to barter favor with those who had wealth and power. Yet Jesus said that welcoming a child is the way to greatness with God.
Society today may not be as clearly or starkly delineated as it was during Jesus' life, but we still have hierarchies and class structures that value the wealthy in ways that decrease or silence the voices of those without the power that money can bring. Wealth, or the lack of it, affects access to healthcare, education, food, place of residence, and stability. It can feel overwhelming to stand in opposition to our culture, and impossible to make substantial and lasting change, but we can each serve where we are. We can be purposeful about welcoming those who might not realize that they are even invited. We can be intentional about seeking ways to be of service to others, listening to voices that are often overlooked, and valuing others for who they are rather than what they can do for us. May God give us the grace to serve, embrace, and become the least now, that we might be
great in God's eyes for eternity.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:34-40)
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