August 20

The Child in the Midst

But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. — Mark 9:34 BSB

Something is wrong when we go through the day doing things we would be ashamed to tell Christ about when we kneel before Him in the evening, or when we speak words we aren’t willing to repeat in prayer. One day, we will be asked to account for all we’ve said and done as we pass through life. Let us be careful to do nothing we will be ashamed to confess before our Lord, the angels, and all the universe.

The disciples’ ideas about rank and position were purely worldly. They argued over who would be the greatest in the kingdom Christ was about to establish, much like modern politicians wrangling over offices. Peter, with his bold speaking, probably thought he deserved to be prime minister. Judas, who handled the money, likely thought he should be treasurer. John, being the beloved disciple, assumed he would have the highest place. Andrew, as the first called, claimed that fact should give him precedence. So, they bickered.

We see this same spirit among Christians today. People seek prominent positions in the Church—they want to be elders, deacons, or trustees. They want roles in the Sunday school, as superintendents, teachers, or secretaries. Others desire leadership in missionary societies, or charitable organizations, or seek to be pastors of large, influential congregations. It’s the same old worldly spirit—the belief that greatness in the Christian life is tied to holding positions of power or influence among people. It’s disheartening to see this scrambling for recognition in the Church of Christ. Perhaps we ourselves have sometimes been guilty of it.