Whoever Wants to Be First Must Be Last of All

This meditation is based on a passage for February 7, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Mark 9:30-41

Reflection and Question: Jesus speaks many times of this dynamic in God’s kingdom of the first being last and the last first. Every time Jesus brings up this reversal, the disciples fail to understand. It makes sense that His warning here of the trials He will face in Jerusalem is followed by the quarrel among the disciples concerning who is the greatest. It bears remembering that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Christians are definitely treated by many as the least of these. Given Jesus’ reasoning, where are LGBT Christians in the realm of God: least or greatest? How can we do better than the disciples did at understanding Jesus?

Prayer: Great God, often when we misunderstand Your ways, we are afraid to ask for Your help or clarification. We want to be the ones giving a cup of water to those who cry out for it. We do not want to lose the reward You hold for us. Help us, please. Amen.