What Jesus Did! 'The Fall Revisited' — Mark 9:33-34

Thursday, June 20, 2024

After [Jesus and his disciples] arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, "What were you discussing out on the road?" But they didn't answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
— Mark 9:33-34 NLT

Key Thought

Sin entered the world because human beings wanted to be like God. So often, our sins still center around our desire to be our own little gods. Maybe we don't want to be in charge of the whole universe, but we do want to be the most important and significant person in our sphere of existence. We want to be the greatest in our world. Inviting Jesus into our world and being honest with him about our desires are crucial. We can't request the one who left heaven to serve humanity to enter our worlds without realizing that our aspirations for personal greatness are selfish. Arrogance is not a result of a godly desire for Christ-likeness. Jesus personified excellence. The Lord redefined what a disciple's life of excellence must be — self-sacrificing service to others, as the next verses show (Mark 9:35-37).

Today's Prayer

O Father, please gently humble me. Remove the dross of my character. Purge out the arrogance and selfishness of my heart so that I can serve you, and others, with Christ-like love and care. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Genesis 3:1-10
  • Mark 8:29-33
  • 1 Samuel 2:3

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 9:33-34 NLT — "What were you discussing out on the road?"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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