Today's Verse: Mark 9:35

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Did you hear that? Last! Last? Nobody likes to be last. When it comes to lines, we all hate to be last! Many of us have a hard time settling for second place, much less last place. Jesus, however, reverses the way the world ranks people (Luke 22:25-27). The person who is most important to him is not the person seeking status, Facebook® likes, a big following on social media, notoriety, or a place of honor at "bigwig"* functions. The most important person is like Jesus himself: they are willing to give up their rank, status, and place importance to serve the least, last, and lost. Why? Because that's how Jesus was. For Jesus, being last meant being first in service and first in the eyes of God.

* A "bigwig" is an informal term for an important person, leader, or official. It originates from large, elaborate wigs worn by men of rank in the 18th century.

My Prayer...

Magnificent God, my Savior, you have made the world wonderful for me and have given your Son to redeem me. How can I ever thank you or repay you for your grace and kindness? Help me serve others with grace and kindness just as my Lord did. Please give me eyes to see people as you do, not judging by mere appearances, but valuing and treating people like Jesus did in his earthly ministry. I want to be willing to serve; to be last. So, where you place me* is in your hands. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus, the one who washed his disciples' feet to show them his love and the place of proper importance. Amen.

* Jesus' teaching in Luke 14:7-14 is helpful to understand this proper attitude.

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 9:35 — Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

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About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.