PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 9:38-41
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name will certainly not lose their reward.” (Mark 9:41)
We love to divide people into groups: those who are with us and like us.
The disciples wanted to protect their special place with Jesus.
This ‘someone’ was not one of the twelve, he was a second-class disciple.
Jesus ‘drives out’ this spirit of pride and jealousy.
He goes on to show there are not different classes of good deeds either.
We focus on the great miracle workers or ‘great’ church leaders.
But Jesus says giving a cup of water is just as powerful, just as important.
There are no ‘super-christians’, the ones we set apart and above the others.
We all have our place in the body of Christ, and we all have equal value.
The way we as ‘church’ divide up the family of Jesus is so sad.
Different groups is fine, but we are meant to work together, not to compete.
Different roles, but one is not more important than another.
Let’s start treating the nursery volunteers with the same respect as the elders!
What unites us is our connection to Jesus, no matter who we are, and what we do.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive us for dividing up your body into the ins and outs, the great workers and the ordinary ones. Help us to celebrate You in every person, no matter who they are or what they do!
Lord thank you for making your parenthood open to us all. Thank you for making me a child of yours in your name. Help me not be concerned with what others do in your name but first reflect on what I do in your name.
Connecting to Jesus is not membership or meeting some criteria – it’s about personal relationship – in simple child like faith and the fruit of that is evident. Help me to see the fruit in others – to encourage and not to direct or criticize. Help me be an encourager – for myself as well! All who connect with you Jesus are my family – my co-workers!