mark 9:36-37 :: Jesus explains Kingdom hierarchy to the disciples (pt 2)

the reciprocal nature of serving is fantastic…not that we expect to be served in return before we serve, but to know that when we serve one person, we really serve on 3 levels. obviously the person directly receiving the service is impacted; they are the immediate beneficiary of the act. but in serving someone else you are also serving Christ, but Jesus doesn’t retain the service for Himself, but insetad the blessing passes on to the Father as well.

it is no secret that serving others is serving God, and Christ is glorified through our actions on His behalf in the lives of others. but do we give even that much thought to it when we do serve?  in order to live the Kingdom dynamic out in our life, we need to be aware that our service touches on multiple levels, but at the same time try not to seek glory for ourselves in doing these htings, nor attempt to check off a duty on our spiritual checklist. it must come from the direct outpouring of the heart, and not a forced effort to please. that again falls into legalism.

that is why it continues to be important that the life we live in Christ is genuine, and thought out, and purposeful. it is an intentional thing to live as the hands and feet of Christ in the life of another. we do not just do things for the sake of doing them. we do not do them to look good to others, or to make ourselves feel better. again, this is a difficult thing not to fall into legalism, but if your heart and mind are focused on Christ, then these things come naturally and you will know why you are doing them.

service is beautiful. sharing Christ through action and attitude, and maybe even through words, with others in a sincere loving way makes a terrific impact. a compassionate impact that makes an eternal difference.

Jesus doesn’t use hyperbole here in setting a child as the example. a child is a prime example for someone to receive in the name of Christ. children are limited in what they can do for themselves. their understanding of the world around them is limited, and their impact on those around them is dynamic. what makes for better conversation, something funny that happened to you, or something funny or profound coming from the mouth of a child? usually the story about the kid is better because it has a tinge of innocence or the profound, sometimes both.

children need to be served, to be taught and directed. they are in immediate need of our attention, and most people will lovingly help them in any way possible precisely because of the obvious need in their life. so when we welcome someone in like a child in a way that shows we are open and willing and happy to help. we not act for any benefit for ourselves, because who expects to be helped in return or paid back by a child? we act purely out of concern and love. and that is the way to recieve others that we encounter. recieve them like a little child, giving all we can, doing so lovingly and patiently and in serving this way, we serve Christ and the Father as well.