Word In Life Study Bible
ARE YOU CONFUSED ABOUT GREATNESS TOO?
Mark9:33-37
Significance is a tricky achievement. Too often it is built upon fame, money, marketing, power, position, or possessions.
The disciples were caught up in a value system based on these things, which caused them to compete with each other (Mark 9:34). In fact, the dispute over greatness resurfaced later (10:35–45). The quest for significance through power was an insidious problem.
Jesus noticed His followers’ thinking and challenged it (9:35). He pointed out that true greatness is in serving others rather than outdoing them. Later He suggested the same thing to a rich ruler (10:21).
To drive His point home, Jesus gathered a child in His arms and said that to welcome a child is to welcome both Christ and His Father (9:36–37). No wonder the apostle Paul, in writing to believers in Galatia, identified many childlike characteristics as highly valued works of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–25). He contrasted those traits with some ugly ones that often accompany competition (Gal. 5:16–21).
Do you need to rework your value system? Are you addicted to fame and fortune? A good test is to ask yourself, Where do children and the poor stand among my priorities?
Study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible, copyright 1993,1996, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible appearing at this web site are for personal use only.
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