The Greatest In The Kingdom

The Greatest in the Kingdom

Mark 9:30-37

The Britannica website defines social class, as a group of people within a society who possess the same socioeconomic status.

The term “class” began to be used widely in the early 19th century, replacing such terms as rank and order, as descriptions of the major group ranking in society.

The term “class” reflected changes in western societies after the industrial and political revolutions of the 18th century; however, places like India, have had class systems for much longer.

For over 3,000 years, the caste system divides Hindus into four main categories, based on their religious belief of who they were in a past life, their karma, and what family line they come from.

Many of us have come to expect the use of a caste system in India; but followers of Christ, have all too often fallen into this kind of bigotry as well.

Please open your Bibles to Mark 9, as we return to that verse by verse study of that Gospel.

A few weeks ago, in Mark, Jesus showed His Deity and Glory to three of His Apostles, on the Mount of Transfiguration.

Then two weeks ago, we studied decisive prayer, where Jesus healed the demon possessed boy as He taught the Disciples the importance of maintaining their spiritual walks.

Today, Jesus is going to have to settle an argument among the Disciples about who the greatest is, in Jesus’ kingdom.

I. A prediction about Jesus’ death and Resurrection.

Read Mark 9:30-32

Some people believe this account is eight days after the time the identity of Jesus and the mission of Jesus were made plain on the Mount of Transfiguration.

Then we learned how all were astonished when Jesus set a boy free from a lifetime under the destructive power of a demon.

Here, Jesus and His Disciples have left Caesarea Philippi and were back in Galilee. Most commentators believe this narrative is approximately six months before the cross.

Jesus was speaking with His Disciples alone and again He warns them of His upcoming death.

John Stott said, “What dominated His mind was not the living, but the giving of His life.” (John Stott)

There were several times that Jesus spoke about His death and Resurrection; but, the Disciples either didn’t really believe Jesus, or else they quickly forgot when He spoke of these things.

On the day of His Resurrection when the women ran to the tomb, we are told in…

Luke 24:6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,

Luke 24:7 saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'"

Luke 24:8 And they remembered His words. NKJV

This was the third time Jesus told the Disciples He would be killed and rise again; but, this was the first time He mentions being betrayed.

Matthew 17:23 says they were exceedingly sorrowful. We don’t know if the Disciples were sad because Jesus spoke of His death or if they were sad because He revealed He would be betrayed.

They had to be wondering who was going to Betray Jesus.

Again, Mark 9:32 tells us, “They did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him”. NKJV

During the Last Supper, Jesus said, Matthew 26:20, “When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve.”

Matthew 26:21 Now as they were eating, He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me."

Matthew 26:22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?" NKJV

The dictionary defines betrayal, “to deliver or expose to an enemy by treachery or disloyalty: to be unfaithful in guarding, maintaining, or fulfilling: to betray a trust; to disappoint the hopes or expectations of; be disloyal to”

Again, Matthew 17 tells us they were exceedingly sorrowful, about this statement from Jesus.

Imagine how devastating this was for these followers who had left their entire life, to follow this Rabbi.

The Disciples had left everything they believed in, left their families, their livelihood, and their belief system. Here they are hearing that someone in the group would betray their leader.

Dr. John Amodeo, wrote an article on betrayal and said, “Betrayal is one of the most painful human experiences.

Discovering that someone we trusted has deeply hurt us pulls the reality rug from under us. When we see the word “betrayal” we may immediately think “affair.”

But betrayal comes in many forms. Abandonment, vicious gossip, and spreading lies also may be experienced as betrayal.

A damaging aspect of betrayal is that our sense of reality is undermined. What felt like solid trust, suddenly crumbles.

Our innocence is shattered. We’re left wondering: What happened? How could this happen? Who is this person?