Living For Others

yourchurch Message
❖ Video

❖ Audio

Living For Others

(Mark 9:30-37)

Mari Ikeda

A. Our thoughts conflicting with Jesus’ thoughts (30-34)

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. 33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 

B. Jesus’ way of living

1. Not for Himself, but for others (35)

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”  

2. Meeting the needs of the least ones (36-37, Matthew 25:31-46)

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

…37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ …44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Summary

We use others for ourselves, while Jesus uses Himself for others (us). To live for others like Jesus does conflicts with the nature we humans all have originally. However, as we were taught though Jesus that God’s nature is love, we are able to making it our joy to meet others’ needs without seeking our own profit. This is the new way of living that Jesus has given us.

For Discussion

  1. What do you think about “living for others”?
  2. Who do you think are “the least ones” for you to serve?