WELCOMING JESUS INTO OUR LIVES

Passage: Mark 9:30-37

Key verse: 37

NIV

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time(A)

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man(B) is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him,(C) and after three days(D) he will rise.”(E) 32 But they did not understand what he meant(F) and were afraid to ask him about it.

33 They came to Capernaum.(G) When he was in the house,(H) he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.(I)

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”(J)

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms,(K) he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”(L)

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ESV

Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection

30 (A)They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, (B)after three days he will rise.” 32 (C)But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Who Is the Greatest?

33 And (D)they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house (E)he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way (F)they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, (G)“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and (H)taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 (I)“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and (J)whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. The Son of Man will be killed (3

-32)

Jesus continued to teach his disciples about his approaching death and resurrection. This was the reason he came: to purchase men for God by his blood. But the disciples didn't understand this. It was hard for them to accept Jesus' gospel teaching, for they were too concerned about human glory and their own future security.

2. Who is the greatest? (33-37)

Jesus was teaching about the cross; they were arguing about human greatness. So Jesus taught them how to be great! First, the great man is the one who serves everyone else. Second, the great man is humble enough to welcome a child in Jesus' name. Third, a great man receives Jesus himself, humbly and unconditionally, as one welcomes a child. When we welcome Jesus, he forgives our sins. God comes to dwell in our hearts.

Prayer: Lord, plant your gospel in my heart. Help me to serve others because I have welcomed you into my heart.

One Word: Welcome humble Jesus