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In Mark 9, Jesus is in a house in Capernaum. Sitting around him are his 12 disciples. Perhaps it is Peter’s mother-in-law’s house. Jesus’ gaze rests upon a little child. We do not know who the child is, whether it is a girl or a boy, it maybe is one of Peter’s nieces or nephews.
Little children are often curious about visitors and I imagine this little child lingering around the edge of the group and take some steps toward Jesus. Jesus soon steps forward, takes the child by the hand and place the little child on his lap.
There are interesting circumstances that brought Jesus and his disciples to this place. In the previous chapters, Jesus alongside his public ministry was teaching his disciples. Specifically what Jesus taught them was that he is going to be betrayed, killed, and would rise from the dead on the third day. Jesus’ disciples did not simply understand that.
The disciples had not understood his death because death for God could not be comprehended. Also, in human perspective life is supposed to get better and better as the days go by. When we come to the end of this life there should be some real satisfaction, having every dream materialized.
In reality life does not work that way. There are dreams that people achieve in life but there are disappointments that come. There are sometimes illnesses which come unexpectedly, relationships change, or jobs fall through. There are all kinds of things which develop in life which causes us to halt our course because that is the reality of life. Now Jesus was God. He was after all their Messiah. The throne of David is forever. So the Son of Man to suffer and die just did not compute in their minds.
Later in the first part of Mark 9 Jesus showed Peter, James, and John his glory. Now the disciples are even more confused because there is a suffering death on one side and glory on the other side. Their eyes fixed on the glory. As they travelled an intense conversation developed between the disciples. They tried to move ahead or behind far enough so that Jesus would not overhear their talking but it was a serious conversation. They were talking as to who is the greatest among them now that Jesus is going to die and be glorified.
When Jesus entered this home in Capernaum he asked his disciples, “What was it that you were discussing along the way?” They were quiet. First they did not ask him their doubts about his death, resurrection and glory, now they did not answer him anything. They did not tell because they were embarrassed. They should not have been thinking the kinds of thoughts which had resulted in perhaps a competitive spirit and argument among them.
Jesus knew every word because He is Almighty God. So when his disciples did not respond, Jesus simply began to address it. He did so by calling this sweet little child to him. Jesus seats this little child in his lap and uses this little child as an illustration to them. Mark 9:37 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.
Now think with me about this child. We learn here that little children can be saved. This child was a saved believer in Jesus. Now you may ask me how? Look at Mark 9:37 Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me... Pay close attention here: One of these little children. There are lots of little children out there but Jesus had picked up a little child that belonged to one particular group – saved group. V42 gives us more clarity Mark 9:42 If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble...
This child was a believer in Jesus Christ. Little children can be saved. That is not the way we naturally think. We value the adults and youths but children are also equally valuable by God. Jesus loves them and he wants them just as he wants the adults. When a child believes God, the child is saved not only from hell, but a life is saved that has to live 70-80 years from the destruction that sin can bring in this life. So, the most wonderful thing of all is to see little children save. Coming back, Jesus is taking a child who believes in him and teaching them on the subject of greatness.
1. ALL BELIEVERS ARE EQUAL.
Jesus is telling his disciples, “You are fighting among yourselves as to who is the greatest. But look at this little child, this child does no miracles. This child just believes me and I value this child as much I value you.” Mark 9:37 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.
Children are equally important to God as adults. Do not offend a child’s faith. They may not pray like you, they may not understand all the doctrine but do not offend that little faith of a child, do not cause them to stumble. Jesus values them.
This can also mean spiritual children, people who are new to Christ. Sometimes the older folks are very soon to criticize the work of the new believers. It maybe their prayer, conduct, enthusiasm for God, or their ministry they do in all excitement. Jesus told his disciples, Do not debate about greatness; disciples, new believers, and children are all equal to me.”
Now Jesus is in the house. I can imagine as Jesus and his disciples are seated, the sisters are busy cooking inside and one of them is serving Jesus and his disciples’ water. Jesus probably took a cup of water and said: Mark 9:41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.
Jesus is telling, “You disciples are thinking that you are doing a lot of ministry, traveling, preaching, serving, casting out demons, and healing and it has got into your mind that you are great. But look at this little sister. All she did to me was to give me some water to drink and even if someone does a small work, I will take note of that and reward that person. What she did is equally important to me as your ministry as apostles.
2. ALL MINISTRIES ARE EQUAL.
Fellow ministers of God, at no point in time the thought that we are something big or great should cross your mind. Every minister is equal for God. A majority of you minister here at different departments at church. Do not think it is a small work. It is equally important as the pulpit ministry. Your work is noted and you are going to be rewarded equally. The question is how faithful are you with your talents and gifts?
John soon makes an application out of their recent experience. Mark 9:38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
Here John felt that they are the only ones authorized to do ministry. John said, “We told him to stop because you are not one of the 12 or you can be the 13th but come along with us.” Mark 9:39 “Do not stop him,”Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me.
3. THERE IS NO ELITISM IN FOLLOWING JESUS.
Elitism is an attitude of considering ourselves the best of the group. Jesus’ disciples were elitist when they tried to stop others casting out demons. In Luke 9, when a Samaritan village did not welcome Jesus, James and John wanted Jesus to call fire from heaven and destroy them. Jesus rebuked them. They were having the elitist mentality because Jesus handpicked them.
Elitism in any form is sinful. It can be in the form of church, background, family, richness etc. There really is no place for pride in following Jesus.
Sometimes elitism can come in our personal preferences. These are manmade. Do you know what I mean by that? We each have our own way of doing things and according to us that is the perfect and best way. The kind of preaching I like; the kind of music I like, I feel that is the best and everyone else is wrong. I am not dealing here the issues of worldliness or doctrinal error. I am dealing in matters of taste, preference, and personal style. It is human nature to judge everything else by our particular outlook.
You see, there are so many churches and different types of preaching and singing. Then there so many TV programs out there. We are not to pass judgment on anyone who does God’s work contrary to our liking and style and consider us great because Jesus needs them all. There is no elitism in following Jesus.
They had been arguing among themselves as to who is the greatest. I need to climb the ladder. It is okay if you are in the second position, but I need to be on the top. Jesus is teaching them that it is quite opposite to the life we are to live with the view of eternity. Then Jesus launches into a series of statements about greatness how God sees it, having the child sitting on his lap.
Mark 9:42-43 If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.
Mark 9:45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples, who are on their way to heaven, quarrelling about who is the greatest among them, cautioning them that they can end up in hell after being his disciple if not careful. Mark 9:47-48 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where “‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’
Now, can the cutting off of a hand, foot, or the plucking out of an eye take you to heaven? If anyone would cut them according to the Bible you would still have one left and you can still commit sin with that one hand, foot, and eye. So Jesus is not talking about literal amputation.
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. It is not by our works of righteousness that we go to heaven, but by God’s mercy. Therefore do not take it literally.
So what is Jesus saying here? Jesus is deliberately using the most severe language to stress that sin is to be opposed at all costs. To have eyes, hands, and foot is to be complete. It is to have everything in a worldly sense. Jesus is saying, “To be complete in the world’s point of view and then go to hell is worse than to be limited in worldly terms, but enjoy eternal life in heaven.” You see Jesus is addressing greatness but from eternity’s perspective.
SO, WHO WILL BE GREAT IN HEAVEN?
1. Holy lifestyle.
Jesus said those who will be great in heaven are those who lead a holy and pure life here. It is a matter of purity of heart, a person who strives to avoid sin, who lives a limited life in terms of enjoying the wicked pleasures of this world such people will inherit heaven and will be great in eternity. So if you understand the greatness from eternity’s perspective, it will rearrange your lifestyle in this life. How is our life today?
2. Servant of all.
Mark 9:35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” In the Kingdom’s perspective the servant, the least of all is the greatest of all. Jesus said many who are first in this life will be last there. But many who will be last here will be first there. Humility and servanthood leads to greatness.
Jesus set the example of servanthood by coming into this world as a man and submitting himself to the death on the cross. Jesus humbled himself as a servant and God exalted him. So if we want to be great in God’s perspective we need to be humble and servant of all.
When we talk about servanthood, least of all, all being equal does not mean that you have no value. Jesus wants his followers to be like him, to be great and rulers with him in eternity. Jesus then shows his disciples God’s pathway for greatness. Mark 9:49-50 49Everyone will be salted with fire. 50“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
Jesus said, “Oh disciples! I am in the process of making you great, so I am going to salt you with fire.”
Salt preserves and fire purifies. In the OT every meat offering was seasoned with salt, Leviticus 2:13. After a perfect sacrificial animal was cut and cleaned, it is seasoned with salt so that the flesh will not decay.
Jesus is reminding the disicples, "Look at the sacrifice on the altar. It is an offering about to be presented to God. It is sprinkled with salt, symbolizing purity, likewise you are to be devoted to God. You are the living sacrifices in the NT. To make you "acceptable" offerings, everything must be done to "preserve" you from sin and to "purify" you. The word “salt” denotes self-denials and sacrifices in keeping ourself pure – Purity of life. The word “fire” denotes trials, pain, and suffering. So purity of life and joyfully enduring trials lead to greatness in God’s sight.
So Jesus is telling, “I have called you for greatness. I want to give you glory. As you endure life I am going to lead you in various circumctanes that will make you pure and holy and make you great from heaven’s prespective.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Mark 9:50b Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
Jesus is telling his disciples, “You have lost salt in you. Have my quality in you. If you have my quality you, you will not be fight with one another. So have salt, be at peace with each other, do not fight for greatness among you. You have the DNA of greatness in you and I am preparing you for my greatness.”
I am sure this changed the thinking of the disciples, except Judas all went on to lead self-denying lives for the Lord Jesus Christ, taking up the cross, fixing their eyes on Jesus, and seeing the glory that was set before them.
Now what does this have to do with us?
a. For those who know Jesus as savior, there are great things to come. But to have great reward in heaven, requires that we have to deny our self and follow Jesus every day saying no to sin. So as you live this life real greatness has to be weighed in light of eternity because the greatness of this world will fail.
b. For those who do not know Jesus as savior, please listen. In these last verses of this chapter Jesus speaks about hell. Heaven or hell after life is a reality. Those who do not trust Jesus as saviour cannot go to heaven. Oh! Dear friend you do not want to go to hell. We just get a small glimpse of hell in Mark 9. There will be fire that will not be quenched. It is a place of worms. Hell is an awful place. You need not go there.
Confess your sins to Jesus. If you believe and tell him in your heart, “I am a sinner. I know you are the Son of God. I believe you died for me and rose again. Please forgive my sins and be my savior.” The Bible says you will be forgiven and saved and you will have a wonderful place in heaven.
c. I want to finally speak to you who are going through pain and trials. In this world everyone have trouble, but your trials will lead to greater glory in this world as well as in eternity to come. So hold on, there is a blessed tomorrow and great eternity. Amen.
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