By Andrew Williams – June 4, 2022
And they arrived at Capernaum; and when [they were] in the house, He asked them, What were you discussing and arguing about on the road? But they kept still, for on the road they had discussed and disputed with one another as to who was the greatest. And He sat down and called the Twelve [apostles], and He said to them, If anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all. And He took a little child and put him in the center of their group; and taking him in [His] arms, He said to them, Whoever in My name and for My sake accepts and receives and welcomes one such child also accepts and receives and welcomes Me; and whoever so receives Me receives not only Me but Him Who sent Me.
Mark 9:33-37 AMPC
Good morning fellow disciples.
Are you like the disciples who spend time with God but you don’t really focus on Him in the time that you spend with Him? Are you so concerned about being better than the rest of your fellow disciples that you lose sight of God who is walking alongside you?
“And He took a little child and put him in the center of their group; and taking him in [His] arms, He said to them, Whoever in My name and for My sake accepts and receives and welcomes one such child also accepts and receives and welcomes Me; and whoever so receives Me receives not only Me but Him Who sent Me.”
Do you welcome children in Jesus’ name? Do you welcome persons in Jesus name or do you shun them?
Hear what Jesus says: “Whoever in My name and for My sake accepts and receives and welcomes one such child also accepts and receives and welcomes Me.”
Do you remember the story where the disciples were not allowing the children to come to Jesus? I wonder if they realized that by not accepting and allowing these children to come to Christ they were not welcoming Christ into their own heart!
Jesus also said: “and whoever so receives Me receives not only Me but Him Who sent Me.”
Have you received the Lord Jesus Christ? If you have, you have also received, accepted, and welcomed God Almighty into your life!
Your greatness is dependent on your relationship with God. Here Jesus teaches that we are to accept those who come to us in His name, so that we will also accept Him, and not only Him but Father God who sent Him.
Examine yourself today and see where you stand with God. Have you truly accepted Him?
Prayer: Father God, we thank You for this conversation between Jesus and His disciples that has shown us that greatness in Your Kingdom is determined by servanthood. Thank You for teaching us that we should keep our focus on You and the tasks that You have assigned us. We should humbly serve You, and our brothers and sisters so that Your Kingdom will be advanced, and all the glory and honor will be given to You. Amen
