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DEVOTIONAL
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty God, you who created me and called me to ministry, pour out your Holy Spirit on me today so that I may be a wise steward of these precious gifts. In the name and spirit of Christ. AMEN.
INTRODUCTION
I grew up with Dr. Seuss stories being read to me and then seeking them out to read for myself. Dr. Seuss reflects the values and attitudes of his time in his stories. Sometimes those values are now seen as insensitive and rude, and some are. A Dr. Seuss story that does endure and reflects this week’s Gospel lesson is “Yertle the Turtle” by Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. Random House, New York, 1958.
Let’s read the Gospel lesson; Mark 9:30-37
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.”
REFLECTION
Jesus is trying to teach the disciples about leadership. He knows that they do not understand what he means when he teaches, lives, and demonstrates that he is the Messiah. Remember, Peter has already declared that Jesus is the Messiah – that is not in doubt. What is misunderstood is, “What does Messiah mean?” Yertle the Turtle can offer some insight. I will summarize the story.
Yertle the turtle was king of the pond. Everyone had everything they needed and was very happy. Yertle decided the kingdom was too small. He wanted to see more. So, he called all the turtles to come to his rock and climb on each other’s backs so he could climb on top and see more. It worked as the loyal turtles gathered and made the stack higher and higher with Yertle on top. Yertle was quite pleased as well because he could see far and wide. All day long the stack got higher and higher.
Yertle was most upset when the moon rose over the horizon and was still higher than he. He demanded more turtles come so he could be higher than the moon. The turtle on the bottom seemed stout and strong, yet as the turtles gathered and the pile grew, the weight increased beyond his strength. He warned of the burden. No one heard as Yertle was screaming for more and more turtles to obey. Finally, the bottom turtle gave a sneeze and all the turtles toppled back into the pond. Yertle took the greatest fall with his face in the mud. “And today the great Yertle, that marvelous he, Is King of the Mud. That is all he can see. And the turtles, of course… all the turtles are free as turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be.”
Jesus as Messiah already has all power, prestige, and privilege. He does not need more from any of us. He is already the FIRST. He is willing to be the very last – the servant of all. He is demonstrating the depth and breadth of God’s love for us by this great reversal. He is willing to sacrifice himself – not for gain and glory – but for our salvation and restoration as disciples (servants) of Jesus. As faithful disciples of Jesus, we have already gained all that is most needful – eternal life. We now encounter the challenge of living our daily lives on earth to share God’s love, mercy and grace with others. Jesus is FIRST – He became the LAST. As disciples of Jesus through faith we are assured of our place in God’s Eternal Kingdom - FIRST PLACE. We must live each day now in LAST PLACE. We must not follow the example of Yertle. We must follow the example of Jesus.
Our lives are more complicated and sophisticated than a turtle pond in a children’s book. That is why we have the Holy Spirit of God to lead us each day. We can pray to God each day. We can read the scriptures and devotional reflections each day to keep our Kingdom vision clear and our ears open to the still small voice of God. These discipleship practices enable us to welcome and respond lovingly to all, even a child, and know that we are welcoming Jesus into our lives.
CLOSING PRAYER
Go forth now as God’s servant. Remember God’s presence often and draw strength for the knowledge that the One who calls and sends also sustains. AMEN.
Blessings
Pastor Tom
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