Mark 9:30-37 (NRSV)
Read Mark 9:30-37 on biblegateway.com
Verse 33Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?"
Verse 34But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.
Verse 35He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all."
Verse 36Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them,
Verse 37"Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."
Devotion
You can find a thousand articles online of people ranking other people from worst to best in different categories. Some will tell you that one person is more attractive than another because they're brainy, physically attractive or kind looking. All these rankings stem from vapid comparisons between human beings, who are all beloved children of God. We all want to think we're better than someone else. I'm certain that it took a good five minutes for the disciples to move again after Jesus told them that the "first must be last"—as they immediately wanted to start competing to be last. The foolishness is not in the categories of comparison, but in the comparison itself. The being last that Jesus talks about is to not be concerned with comparisons. Instead, it is to welcome those who are outside of our own group. When we put aside comparisons and welcome others as beloved children of God, we live into God's call.
Prayer
Dear God, help us to avoid always wanting to be first or comparing ourselves to others. Help us instead to welcome others as your children and, like us, heirs of your mercy and love. Amen.