The Gospel for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost has two sections. The first section, Mark 9:30-32, is one of several predictions of Christ's Passion and Resurrection. Jesus continues to point His disciples to the true nature of His work. He is not a conquering military or political figure. Instead, He is spiritual and humble. He is the Suffering Servant who gives Himself to redeem His people. He will die and rise again on the third day. This is the core of His ministry, but the disciples are slow to understand it or accept it.
The second section of the Gospel selection is Mark 9:33-37. It deals with the question of greatness as a disciple. Christ's disciples need to learn to follow Him. They should not be arguing about their own greatness. True greatness is a matter of humility and service. Disciples need to be concerned with simple expressions of service, such as receiving children in Christ's name. Such humble service is more important in the kingdom than what seem to be great worldly accomplishments and honors.
The meaning of the two sections of this Sunday's Gospel from Mark 9 go together. Our starting point is always who Jesus Christ is, what He has done, and what He keeps doing to save us. He has humbly suffered and died, and He has gloriously risen. Because of Him, we, His disciples, are called to lives of humble service in simple things of this life. By grace through faith, may we follow Him.
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