"Being Welcoming" - Message on the Occasion of Mahalia's Dedication - from Mark 9:33-37

Here we have a passage where certain cultural thinking is turned on its head. Most of us would not engage in conversations with each other (or argue about) which of us is the greatest (like these disciples of old did). However, it might be that we spend some time thinking quietly in ourselves about whether we are better than someone else, or where we might stand in the pecking order. In this incident, Jesus reinterprets thinking about merit and status and greatness toward the degree to which we are willing to serve others. Greatness in human life should be determined not about how many people serve us, but rather about how many people we serve.

When confronted with the enquiry as to what they were arguing about, Jesus’ disciples remained silent. They must have known deep within themselves that the nature of their discussion was not going to be pleasing to Jesus; especially given that Jesus had just, for the second time, talked to them about his impending sacrifice and death (9:31). Although these disciples still did not understand or accept why Jesus would be talking about his death [for this was not the type of Messiah they were expecting], such conversation about who was the “greatest” among their number, seems not only misguided but also tactless.

But isn’t it just pretty human to be missing or ignoring the important matters while spending time discussing more trivial things. And in the case of these disciples, they were still doing so knowing that there were bigger issues at hand. It seems that these disciples were just falling into the norms of the culture of the time – the culture of the Mediterranean world of the first century (including Jewish Palestine) which was so very much concerned with rank and position.

The way in which Jesus responds to all this, is an attempt to bring the disciples’ thinking in line with God’s thinking. The very fact that Jesus is quoted as having “sat down” to speak with his disciples (v.35) shows the seriousness of the teaching that will follow. For this is the purpose of the gospel texts that we read – these are not just happy stories about Jesus, but they dramatically reveal how people like us can fall into line with the way God wants us to live. Let’s work briefly through what Jesus says to his disciples (and therefore to us).

Did someone blab, or did Jesus, despite the silence, just instinctively know anyway what the disciples were talking about. Jesus had been travelling with these disciples for some time now, and had come to know them very well … so I would suggest that Jesus just knew the sorts of ideas that circulated in their minds. And Jesus well knew how powerful the prevailing culture could be on any human being. So Jesus confidently weighs in where the disciples were at.

Whoever wants to be considered “greatest”, according to Jesus, is not the one who has prestige, power, influence, authority, or the right to rule; and is not the one who gets all the crowd’s cheers and public accolades for various achievements; but rather the one who is “…last of all and servant of all” (v.35). This certainly turns things upside down!

The “greatest” or “first” is the one who is humble and has a realistic view of themselves, understanding that we all have faults and things that push our buttons, and no one is ever very far away from their next mistake! This is also the one who sees that responding to the needs of others is at least just as important (if not more important) as having our own needs met.

This is a call to put aside any desire for fame or reward in favour of welcoming those without any hope of wealth, privilege or position. Of course this was what Jesus himself was all about – spending lots of time with those who had been rejected by society (because of their disability or profession), and then ultimately sacrificing everything of himself, even his life, for all those in great need!

At this point in the recorded incident, we could maybe hear the disciples wondering who it was that they would need to serve (to be so well regarded). Well says Jesus, take this child – here is someone so young and innocent and impressionable and powerless and dependent on the care of others … you could serve this child!!

Now in this society of the time, this was a big stretch; as children were not held in high regard and were afforded no particular honour … culturally speaking, serving them would never bring any prestige. Listening to children’s conversation was thought to be a waste of time. Again, Jesus is seeking to turn normal thinking on its ear.

If adults like the disciples could get their head around being open to serving such a child as Jesus here presented to them, then they would be getting somewhere concerning the level of receptivity God requires. We are to welcome people into our lives and seek to help them in their journey. After all, there are enough people suffering from loneliness, discouragement and hopelessness to go around! The Greek word translated here “welcomes” (v.37), implies treating people as a friend, even as family. This is the path then, through the logical progression of verse 37, towards being considered as part of the family of God … to be received by God as such. This is how we can be welcomed by God, by being open to welcoming others.

Today, Mahalia provides an example of one who needs to be cared for, who needs to be loved, accepted and welcomed. But Mahalia also represents the notion that all people need to be accepted, welcomed and valued by others. Each person that is born needs to have other people investing something into their lives, and appreciating the depth of their humanity.

Notice how Jesus didn’t just point to the child for the purposes of an example. Jesus also took this child in his arms in a welcoming embrace (v.36). Jesus not only supplies the teaching here, but models this teaching at the same time. This is the only path to being a follower of Jesus … having a welcoming approach to others. This involves displaying a smile, offering a hand, and getting over some of the petty things that annoy us into being frustrated with other people (and calling them names). This involves investing a little time to get to know someone, and being interested in what they are doing.

The path to greatness is through faith demonstrated in humility and service. Welcoming others into the orbit of our lives opens us up to the possibility of experiencing the presence of God. The scene of welcoming, appreciating and committing to love a child offers us much to think about.