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.”

Meditation

1. In view of what lay ahead in Jerusalem, Jesus again prepared his disciples by telling them that He would suffer execution and experience resurrection. Rather than discussing Jesus’ coming death and resurrection, the disciples had been arguing about their own futures in the kingdom.
2. All of us struggle with the question of status and identity within a group. Where do I fit? How important am I to this group?
3. How does Jesus’ style of success differ from the ideas of success that press on you today? What would it mean for you to reflect vv35-37 in your family, your work? What is the incentive to do so?
4. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to humbly serve others rather than to be served.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today: 5:18-19

18 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, 19 a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.