Mark 9:30-37
New International Version
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time
30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. 33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” 36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Monday - October 3
Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God is completely different than anything we would ever imagine on our own. At high school graduations we hear grand statements from students, teachers, and administrators about one big idea: potential. The graduates, we are told, are filled with it! “Potential” is a type of power. It is the same root word as “potent” or “potentate.” Like a high school graduate, we think that God has put potential into us and it is our job to live up to that potential, to use that power to do great things. But Jesus says just the opposite. God is going to do great things for you! All the potential belongs in God! All YOU need to “do” is receive God’s potent word in faith, trusting in His mercy and love for you, just as a child trusts a parent.