Text:
1. WHAT THEY WERE TOO AFRAID TO ASK 30-32
It must be important, for Christ mentions his Death and Resurrection again and
again. In the context of his Death He always mentions his Resurrection. This
is to encourage Him, as well as to encourage his disciples. Death is not the
End: it is the Means to the End of Eternal Life. But it was all darkness to
the Twelve, who were yet too dull to understand, and too frightened to ask..
2. WHAT THEY WERE TOO ASHAMED TO ADMIT 33-34a
They had argued who was the greatest. There is no limit to the earthly
ambition of even fishermen and publicans. They had given up all for Christ's
sake; but now they argue what is in it for them. The deadly sin of Pride is
most insidious when it wears the garb of humility, like a wolf in sheep's
clothing. They'd been too afraid to ask Jesus about his Death; now they are
too ashamed to admit the sins for which he was to die and rise again..
3. WHAT CONSTITUTES TRUE GREATNESS 34b-35
The first of all is the one who is last of all, and the servant of all. St
Augustine of Hippo (not of Canterbury) wrote "A Bishop's office is a name of
labour rather than of honour: so that he who covets pre-eminence rather than
usefulness, may understand that he is not a Bishop" /De Civitate Dei/. Those
who put themselves out to serve Christ by serving their fellow-men are those
who extend the kingdom of Christ to the ungodly and to the heathen, and build
up the Church. Christ will tell them "Well done, good and faithful servant..."
(Matthew 25:21, 23; Luke 19:17)..
4. WHAT CONSTITUTES TRUE HUMILITY 36-37
The route to true greatness lies in caring for the weakest and the lowest of
Christ's flock. There is always a shortage of people to teach the young..
Sunday-school teaching is not perceived to be in the same league as pulpit
preaching. But how many of us who now fill pulpits started out as
Sunday-school teachers and CSSM beach mission helpers. Minnis Bay SU beach
mission had to be cut from a fortnight to a week in 1999 and 2000 because
insufficient adult helpers were forthcoming. Who knows if that child whom you
lead to Christ will turn out a future Billy Graham or a future Mother Theresa..
In Christ,
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick, BA CF
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
