ESOCS Devotional 22 May 2023: The Path To Greatness

ESOCS Devotional 22 May 2023

MEMORY VERSE: “…. If any man desires to be first, the same shall be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:35

TEXT: MARK 9:30-37

³⁰They went on from there and passed along through Galilee. And He did not wish to have anyone know it,

³¹For He was [engaged for the time being in] teaching His disciples. He said to them, The Son of Man is being delivered into the hands of men, and they will put Him to death; and when He has been killed, after three days He will rise [^[a]from death].

³²But they did not comprehend what He was saying, and they were afraid to ask Him [what this statement meant].

³³And they arrived at Capernaum; and when [they were] in the house, He asked them, What were you discussing and arguing about on the road?

³⁴But they kept still, for on the road they had discussed and disputed with one another as to who was the greatest.

³⁵And He sat down and called the Twelve [apostles], and He said to them, If anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all.

³⁶And He took a little child and put him in the center of their group; and taking him in [His] arms, He said to them,

³⁷Whoever in My name and for My sake accepts and receives and welcomes one such child also accepts and receives and welcomes Me; and whoever so receives Me receives not only Me but Him Who sent Me.

Read Other ESOCS Devotional here

Everyone desires to climb to the next level. Our text today teaches us some godly paths to being greater than we are today.

First of all, you must be able to manage information about yourself. Be careful not to release your secret code to the enemy. They will kill your desire. Jesus had the desire to fulfil the will of God in the salvation of man. He knew He will be killed but He managed the information about His movements so He will not be killed before His time (Mark 30:30-32). You will fight fewer battles if you keep information about your desire away from your enemies.

Again, you have to be humble in service. Do not rate yourself higher than your colleagues or expect to be served. You have to act as if they are better off and take steps to put things in order before they know it. Jesus told His disciples, “If any man desires to be first, the same shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:33-35).

You have to always see beyond the immediate. Be proactive. If you have regard for the master, you have to honour the servant. If you fear God, you have to honour and respect His anointed servants. The power of God in the life of His servants will not bless your life if you do not honour and have regard for the servant of God (Mark 9:36, 37).

The sum of it all is that those who desire to be greater than they are now in all aspects of life must live a humble, respectful and accommodating life style.