Day 21 | March 25 | Mark 9:30-37.

Lamb, Leader and Little
What is God teaching you today? Do you consider yourself a Disciple? According to a dictionary, a disciple is “a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher”. It must have been amazing to be an “in-person” disciple of Jesus Christ! I’m not suggesting we are  “virtual” disciples today. The current, popular series called “The Chosen” brings Jesus Christ’s walk with His disciples to life. In these verses from Mark we see how Jesus focused His earthly teaching on His disciples. Allow me to share what the Lord is teaching me in these 8 verses about living as a disciple of Jesus Christ in 2022.

Jesus taught 3 major lessons to His disciples as they passed through Galilee and came to Capernaum. I simplify each lesson with a key term. The one word key term for each lesson is Lamb, Leader and Little. Verse 32 tells us the disciples neither understood what He said about His death and resurrection nor asked any questions about this teaching of the Lamb of God’s fulfillment of prophecy. It seems probable the disciples may have also struggled to understand the lessons of Leaders being servants and a Little child’s importance in God’s Kingdom.

Verses 30-32 tell us Jesus was intentionally focused on His teaching time. In 30b, Jesus wanted to be only with His disciples and away from the crowds. Should I intentionally get away from daily busyness and focus on His teaching? Jesus tells them His time has come to die as a sacrificial Lamb and conquer sin and death. Do I understand this lesson in 2022?

Verses 33-35 teaches how Jesus knows their thoughts and speech. God’s Kingdom upsets our earthly idea of powerful leadership. Do you want to be great? Be a servant leader! The last shall be first is difficult to understand and put into practice.

Verses 36 & 37 emphasize how I must have the faith of a little child to live fully for Jesus and God the Father. Is this teaching us the simplicity of His Kingdom? 

What is God teaching you today?