Bible Text: Mark 9:30-37 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes
On September 9th Queen Elizabeth became the longest reigning monarch in British History. While it surpasses the reign of her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria, thus far by just a few weeks, Queen Elizabeth has seen 12 British Prime Ministers and 13 Canadian Prime Ministers and more than 30 corgis throughout her reign. Interestingly enough all of her Corgis have been descendants of her first Corgi, Susan, which was presented to her on her 18th birthday in 1944. Queen Elizabeth has also surpassed a pretty big milestone in that her marriage to Prince Philip is the longest of all British monarchs, 67 years,- unfortunately that is an accomplishment not likely to be overcome any time soon. Queen Elizabeth was the first monarch to send an email in 1976 and she sent her first tweet last fall. I don’t really count myself a monarchist but I’m certainly not against it either. Of course as a young girl, like many young girls, I had hopes that upon visiting Balmoral Castle I would be noticed by one of the at the time eligible princes. But let’s face it, I ended up with a much better Prince Charming. I don’t know what it is about our fascination with monarchy. Perhaps its that they live a life so radically different than ours that we can only fantasize about it. Or perhaps when there is scandal it gives us relief that despite their royal blood, they are only human. I certainly share with others in the congratulation to Her Majesty the Queen in being the longest reigning monarch but I’m not about to ask us to sing God Save the Queen in church. I suppose some of that resistance comes from our passage this morning.
What appears like two separate stories is actually two variations on the same theme. This is a common narrative tool in Mark. The Gospel writer often juxtaposes stories to either make a point or to demonstrate the major contrasts within Jesus’ life. In the first section Jesus takes on a second try in explaining his upcoming death and resurrection and once again the disciples have real difficulty in understanding. The text says that they are not only confused but afraid to ask questions. Fear is a common theme in Mark and it is often contrasted with faith. In this story the disciples’ fear prevents them from asking questions. How often is that the case for us? We are worried that if we ask questions, others will think our faith is weak or even heretical. We are afraid of being judged or looking stupid. Truth be told I understand the disciples fear. After all, we heard two weeks ago how Jesus rebuked Peter after Jesus explained for the first time about his death and suffering. No wonder they are afraid- they don’t want to disappoint Jesus- but of course not asking for clarification or explanation is going to create a greater culture of disappointment later on.
Unfortunately, things don’t really improve for the disciples’ ignorance and this is where our two stories connect. Immediately following Jesus’ explanation about his suffering and death the disciples are arguing over who is the greatest. Just think of that for a moment Jesus just explained he is going to die and the disciples turn around to discuss which one of them is best. The Gospel then says that, “Jesus sat down.” I picture an exasperated Jesus- walking with his disciples and discovering that this is what they are discussing- not about what Jesus has just said but rather a conversation so trivial that Jesus just sits down in frustration.
Then Jesus calls them over to explain that the reality of God’s kingdom is nothing like that of any human reign. That in fact it has nothing to do with how long someone reigns, how best someone reigns, even how socially conscious someone reigns rather it is entirely based on something so extreme that no human reign can compare to God’s reign. In order to become the greatest and the first, one must become the least and the last. This is not just some reverse psychology but a reversal of everything understood within the Roman culture of the day. Mark’s Gospel has been subtly proving this point in the preceding chapters. We have people who are overcome by demons who recognize who Jesus is, we have innocent little girls, sick hemorrhaging women, and Syrophoenician women who all recognize who Jesus is well before the disciples. It is these people who are the first, the honoured, the greatest.
We have to understand that in the ancient world the social structure was slightly different from ours today, namely that there was no middle class. One was either rich, very rich, or poor, very poor. And in order to maintain ones honour they had to surround themselves with those people who brought them honour and prestige or else they ran the risk of being shamed. When Jesus says that one can only gain honour in the kingdom of God by welcoming and spending time with those who have no honour it goes against the entire social structure of the ancient world. Especially when it involves welcoming a child- someone with absolutely no power. But this is the point that Jesus was trying to make earlier- that through his death and resurrection-he will become the greatest servant, the servant of all. He will be strung up on a cross and made completely powerless but through these actions those who succumb, daily to the great power of sin, may experience the even greater power of grace. Today we welcomed a child into the covenant of this church- promising that Callan will be prayed for, cared for, taught, celebrated, blessed, listened to in this community of faith. You made this vow and let me remind you this should not be an empty promise.
I would argue that while our modern world does see a middle class- the economic realities of the day show that there is an ever widening gap between the rich and the poor- not unlike that of the ancient world. We may not seek to promote our status through the company we keep but we certainly do through the products we own. I would argue that we sometimes still argue over who is the greatest. In fact, I catch myself doing it when I proclaim how great this congregation is- implying that we are one of the best churches not only this valley but the entire island. While this may be true we only become the best by listening to one another, giving equal voice to our concerns and aspirations, by showing hospitality to all among us. What better way than through baptism and subsequently through the visioning process we will have today, a coming together to share a vision for the future where we may be a church who welcomes not only a relationship with Jesus but God. Amen