LIFE SCRIPTS

They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “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 9:30‭-‬37 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mrk.9.30-37.NIV.

Christ’s teachings were packed with many lessons. He delivered a variety of punches at a go as He engaged His disciples. Here, He spoke to them about His death and resurrection. Though they didn’t understand Him, they were afraid to delve further. Such a message seemed to hit them hard. But it carried the weight of Christ’s mission on earth. Christ came in order to die on the cross for the sake of our sins. This message, though delivered on the way, was the real deal. But even in the midst of such a power packed message, the disciples chose to engage in arguments about who among them is greatest. It’s ironical that the Son of God came down on earth to become the ‘least’ so that we may gain God’s favour yet His own disciples were discussing who among them is greatest. But Christ’s response was clear. He illustrated His answer using a child. While it’s obvious that children have the highest level of innocence Christ used them to paint a heart of humility to His disciples. A heart that we often find hard to accommodate as grown ups. But God looks at our hearts. Are we humble enough to behave innocently as children? Are we humble enough to welcome these little ones, embrace them and treat them well? Are we humble enough to open our arms to those that the world frowns upon? In the kingdom of God the least shall be the greatest. The ones who choose to humble themselves will be exalted.