Mark 9:33-37

As normal the disciples are arguing and this time it’s who is the greatest? This attitude is also apparent in modern society, and I see it every day on my commute into London! Each day I commute into London in the rush hour, the tube is rammed and comparable to sardines in a tin! It’s hot; people are rushing, pushing and very irritable. Today I was reading the letters in a London newspaper. In this section people rant about London and what they hate about it. Today a man complained about people saying excuse me without saying please, and how no-one has any consideration for other people whilst commuting in and around London. On January the 3rd a letter also stated that the author was grateful to everyone who took January the 2nd off work because the tube was a more pleasant experience!

Jesus’ says in Mark 9: 35: “If anyone wants to be first He must be the very last and servant of all”. This statement was radical then and is equally radical today, and this is a huge challenge to me. Do I serve those around me or do I blend in and get where I want to go? We have to make a choice to love those around us and put their needs before our own. Jesus gives the ultimate example, by choosing death on a cross. By serving others we are worshipping Jesus and drawing others to him.

In Matthew 5: 13-16 Jesus sets the standard:

You are the salt of the earth. But if salt looses its saltiness how can it be salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven”.

This is re-iterated at the end of Mark 9: 49:

“Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if it looses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other”.

Let’s be salt and light in our day to day lives, when no-one we know is watching us. Lets create a thirst for God in others and light up the darkness.