Devotion • September 19
Today's Scripture
Mark 9:30–37
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” (NRSV)
Reflection
“I love you the bluest,” my wife says to son Luke.
“I love you the reddest” to Sam.
“I love you the orangest” to Christian.
“I love you the greenest” to Julian.
These lines have become part of family lore now that our sons are aged twenty-seven to twenty-two.
See, when you have four sons, separated by fewer than five years, they grow up not only loving each other but also in constant, intense competition. About everything. Who scored the highest on a math test; who swam the fastest; who spat a watermelon seed farthest. And who is the greatest, most loved son. Every day!
My wife and I used the above responses after reading (and rereading aloud to each several dozen times) the wonderful Barbara Joosse picture book I Love You the Purplest.
In the book, two brothers set out to fish on a lake with their mom. While digging for worms, rowing the boat, and pulling in fish, each brother asks his mom who is the greatest at each task. And as she tucks the boys into bed at night, each asks who the mom loves the best. You know the response she whispers in each of their ears.
In this lesson from Mark, Jesus notices his followers arguing about who is the greatest disciple. He takes them to task and tells them about how the person who wants to be first must be last. Jesus makes clear that the way of discipleship is not seeking power over others but giving up power for the sake of others. It is the way to love and be loved.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for loving us the same way — unconditionally — and loving each of us in unique and colorful — purplest, orangest — ways. May we do the same to others. Amen.
Written by Phil Calian, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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