A Devotion for the Upside Down Kingdom
They came to Capernaum. When he was safe at home, he asked them, “What were you discussing on the road?”
The silence was deafening—they had been arguing with one another over who among them was greatest. 35 He sat down and summoned the Twelve. “So you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all.”
– Mark 9: 33-35 (The Message)
I had one of those teachers, in elementary school, that you swear had a superpower ability to see behind her, and hear every little side conversation. I mean, it was scary, how she could be writing on the board and, without even picking up her chalk, call out the offending students name AND even mention what he or she was whispering about.
Now, as an adult, and a parent, I realize that teachers like this don’t have superpowers; kids usually just don’t talk as quietly as they think they are. And, that usually, it’s pretty easy to guess what they’re talking about.
In a school classroom, it was probably either teasing another classmate, or boasting about some skill, or making some claim of playground ability. Which is, what it seems, exactly what the disciples are arguing about as well.
As Jesus and his disciples traveled from Galilee to Capernaum, Jesus knows there have been discussions going on between the disciples about who is the greatest, probably arguing about who was closest to Jesus, who was the most effective in ministry, the most holy in his ways.
And so when they arrive at the house they are traveling to, in Capernaum, Jesus asks, like a parent, or teacher, a question he already knows the answer to:
“So, what were you guys arguing about on the way here?”
And not surprisingly, the answer he gets: SILENCE. I imagine, if we had been in the room, we would have seen a few glances shot across the groups, a few elbowings and maybe a few pointed fingers, or whispers “YOU tell him! No, you!”
In this passage from Mark, we witness the community around Jesus struggling to understand who Jesus is and what that means for their own lives. Throughout Mark's Gospel, the disciples remain at about the same level of understanding, or lack thereof. It was partly because they were afraid to ask. But I think it was partly because their burning question was not, "How can I better understand and live out Jesus' identity and mission?", but rather, "How can I be the greatest?"
This isn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last time, that Jesus has to address the issue of power and stature in his ministry, or with his disciples. And the text doesn’t say this, but I imagine Jesus’ response was a long sigh, and to pull out a chair and sit down.
Jesus knows these guys, he knows that they, like us, will want to be the best, want to be deemed worthy at what they do.
He doesn’t try to take away that desire, but to transform it:
‘You want to be the best, right? To be first? Then be last’
‘You want to lead, right? Be in charge? Then you must serve.’
Jesus’ words to the disciples, are still the same words for us: Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all. Whoever welcomes the child, welcomes me.
You see, this idea has been shown time and again throughout the gospel:
The kingdom of God breaks into the world in the least likely of places.
Such is the way of the Gospel, it seems. In the Bible, we meet a God who loves to work through small people, both in status and stature to accomplish God’s mission. Consider a teenager named Mary from Nazareth. Or a young boy named David. Or a small baby, born in a barn – indeed God seems to be the God of small things. Of doing things that the world would deem foolish, or unimportant – of working through seemingly insignificant people.
As we work in long-term recovery, fighting the desire to be the “best” in the eyes of the world can still haunt us.
But, as most of you have probably seen, this work that we do confirms that the Kingdom of God is found in the seemingly small, insignificant places, with and through people who don’t have much to offer the world in terms of physical wealth or stature.
For in welcoming the least, honoring those who the world says has less value, or no value at all – that is how we bring the Kingdom of God to Earth.
This Kingdom of God, the God of Small Things, is indeed an upside down kingdom – one that takes the ways and orders of this world, and turns them on its head.
You have all been at work uncovering the beauty of God’s Kingdom: I’ve seen you extend love and welcome to those who the world deems insignificant and unworthy and small. You have, and are continuing to work for an upside-down, welcoming wonderful Kingdom. You have served, and continued to serve not for fame or attention or glory, but because in doing so, you are building God’s Kingdom.
Our challenge this day, is to think, “How can I welcome the one who has not yet felt the overwhelming love of God?” Who have we not yet invited to the table?”
How can our daily work continue to focus on not making ourselves look or feel good, but on being beacons of God’s redemption, ones who remind others of their worth and dignity?
We are inviters of this great, upside-down Kingdom. Let us not be fooled by the trappings of greatness, of the lies of power. Let us instead be welcomers to all of the Kingdom of humility, mercy and service. For in doing so, we welcome God’s very presence among us.
– Mark 9: 33-35 (The Message)
I had one of those teachers, in elementary school, that you swear had a superpower ability to see behind her, and hear every little side conversation. I mean, it was scary, how she could be writing on the board and, without even picking up her chalk, call out the offending students name AND even mention what he or she was whispering about.
Now, as an adult, and a parent, I realize that teachers like this don’t have superpowers; kids usually just don’t talk as quietly as they think they are. And, that usually, it’s pretty easy to guess what they’re talking about.
In a school classroom, it was probably either teasing another classmate, or boasting about some skill, or making some claim of playground ability. Which is, what it seems, exactly what the disciples are arguing about as well.
As Jesus and his disciples traveled from Galilee to Capernaum, Jesus knows there have been discussions going on between the disciples about who is the greatest, probably arguing about who was closest to Jesus, who was the most effective in ministry, the most holy in his ways.
And so when they arrive at the house they are traveling to, in Capernaum, Jesus asks, like a parent, or teacher, a question he already knows the answer to:
“So, what were you guys arguing about on the way here?”
And not surprisingly, the answer he gets: SILENCE. I imagine, if we had been in the room, we would have seen a few glances shot across the groups, a few elbowings and maybe a few pointed fingers, or whispers “YOU tell him! No, you!”
In this passage from Mark, we witness the community around Jesus struggling to understand who Jesus is and what that means for their own lives. Throughout Mark's Gospel, the disciples remain at about the same level of understanding, or lack thereof. It was partly because they were afraid to ask. But I think it was partly because their burning question was not, "How can I better understand and live out Jesus' identity and mission?", but rather, "How can I be the greatest?"
This isn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last time, that Jesus has to address the issue of power and stature in his ministry, or with his disciples. And the text doesn’t say this, but I imagine Jesus’ response was a long sigh, and to pull out a chair and sit down.
Jesus knows these guys, he knows that they, like us, will want to be the best, want to be deemed worthy at what they do.
He doesn’t try to take away that desire, but to transform it:
‘You want to be the best, right? To be first? Then be last’
‘You want to lead, right? Be in charge? Then you must serve.’
Jesus’ words to the disciples, are still the same words for us: Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all. Whoever welcomes the child, welcomes me.
You see, this idea has been shown time and again throughout the gospel:
The kingdom of God breaks into the world in the least likely of places.
Such is the way of the Gospel, it seems. In the Bible, we meet a God who loves to work through small people, both in status and stature to accomplish God’s mission. Consider a teenager named Mary from Nazareth. Or a young boy named David. Or a small baby, born in a barn – indeed God seems to be the God of small things. Of doing things that the world would deem foolish, or unimportant – of working through seemingly insignificant people.
As we work in long-term recovery, fighting the desire to be the “best” in the eyes of the world can still haunt us.
But, as most of you have probably seen, this work that we do confirms that the Kingdom of God is found in the seemingly small, insignificant places, with and through people who don’t have much to offer the world in terms of physical wealth or stature.
For in welcoming the least, honoring those who the world says has less value, or no value at all – that is how we bring the Kingdom of God to Earth.
This Kingdom of God, the God of Small Things, is indeed an upside down kingdom – one that takes the ways and orders of this world, and turns them on its head.
You have all been at work uncovering the beauty of God’s Kingdom: I’ve seen you extend love and welcome to those who the world deems insignificant and unworthy and small. You have, and are continuing to work for an upside-down, welcoming wonderful Kingdom. You have served, and continued to serve not for fame or attention or glory, but because in doing so, you are building God’s Kingdom.
Our challenge this day, is to think, “How can I welcome the one who has not yet felt the overwhelming love of God?” Who have we not yet invited to the table?”
How can our daily work continue to focus on not making ourselves look or feel good, but on being beacons of God’s redemption, ones who remind others of their worth and dignity?
We are inviters of this great, upside-down Kingdom. Let us not be fooled by the trappings of greatness, of the lies of power. Let us instead be welcomers to all of the Kingdom of humility, mercy and service. For in doing so, we welcome God’s very presence among us.
With you on the journey,
Chaplain Amy
Chaplain Amy
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