By HyeKang

Read: Leviticus 22:17-23:44, Mark 9:30-10:12, Psalm 44:1-8, Proverbs 10:19

After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”
Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”
Mark 9:33-37

Relate:
Even the disciples of Jesus were arguing about which one of them was the greatest. Can I tell people that I am innocent and pure? Can I be sure that I don’t compare people with me deciding which of us is better? I don’t think anyone can respond to that question with confidence. We compare each other in our lives every day deciding who is more efficient, better, and worse. But in God’s eye, none of us are great. Different from the laws of this world, Jesus tells us the rule of God where whoever wants to be first must be the last, and be a servant of others. It is a natural human desire to long for greater stuff and be treated well, but as Christians, we should know that the better thing to do is to serve instead of being served and to be last instead of wanting to be first. 

Talking about serving others, to serve others we shouldn’t have prejudice and discrimination. Jesus said that anyone who welcomes the little child is welcoming Jesus. He also said that anyone who welcomes Jesus is also welcoming God who has sent Jesus to us. If we are trying to serve someone, then we shouldn’t have prejudice or discrimination depending on their outward appearance or other things. Even though they may be in a shabby appearance, young, and different from us, we must remember that they are all children of God.

React:
Even after we decide to serve others, we might be confused about where to start. Also even though we try to not have prejudice and discrimination, it might be hard for us to not have these things. It is okay for it is impossible for a human being to not have prejudice and discrimination at all. We tend to decide depending on our own thoughts, and even though we try not to, still we may have some prejudices left. Still, the important thing is the willingness to change. Even though it is a little change, try to be a better person than yesterday. If this change continues, in the future those small changes turn into a big difference that will turn us into better people.

Respond:

Dear Loving God,
I believe that you know what is most needed is the best for us. I know that you can make everything possible. I pray that You would help us feel Your love and be able to spread that love to those around us. Please guide us to the people who need You, and help us to serve and spread Your word, God. I know that I can’t do this by myself, God, please stand with us. I pray that you will make everything possible. Help us to not fall into the temptation of greediness and selfishness, but learn the love of You, God. I pray with all my heart.
Amen.