Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
MONDAY, February 7
Mark 9:30-41. Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
Jesus catches them at it. When he came into the house at Capernaum the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus sits down. This means he was to teach an important lesson. He says, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” What a strange visual aid Jesus uses! He takes a little child and places the child among his squabbling, power- hungry disciples. A little child would have been regarded as insignificant in the culture of Jesus’ day. In the social hierarchy children were at the bottom, hardly worth any attention.
Look, disciples! Jesus takes the child in his arms. A little child is enthroned in his arms and close to his heart. Many human disputes are about status-seeking. When we know we are enthroned in Jesus’ arms and close to his heart, we will not look down on anyone.
PRAY for the Diocese of Maiduguri (Province of Jos, Nigeria)
Ps 80 * 77, [79]; Isaiah 58:1-12; Galatians 6:11-18
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