Mark 9:33-35
They came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them: What were you arguing about on the road? But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said: If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.
Did you ever wonder what the disciples of Jesus were like? Were they plaster saints without faults or failings? Did they fall short of being the men of God that they should have been? In this Scripture we have one glimpse into the behavior of the disciples that may often go unnoticed. They were proud and self-seeking! That is so hard to say that I hardly can believe I typed it.
Perhaps it is human nature to desire to be better than others. If so, it is our fallen nature. Pride is sin! I want to repeat that for effect: PRIDE IS SIN! The sin of many believers is going beyond pleasing the Lord—rather it is being in competition with other Christians. In God’s kingdom there is no place for being a Super Saint! He said that the first must be last and the servant of all!
I think the answer to being able to deal with pride and arrogance in our life is to stay close to Jesus. It is when we stray from His presence that we start thinking thoughts that are self-centered and willful. In Psalm 119:133, the Psalmist David directs this prayer to the Lord: Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil