- 33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
- 36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
- Compare: Matthew 18:1-5; Luke 9:46-48
The First and the Last: Power vs. Powerlessness in Christianity
As he has done many times before, Jesus comes to Capernaum — although never identified as having been born there, he is recorded as having spent enough time in this town that it came to be regarded as “Jesus’ town” by many. This was a center of his ministry where he performed many healings and taught many different things — something we need to keep in mind when considering the current scene and message.
Apparently the disciples were arguing amongst themselves while traveling through Galilee, but they wouldn’t reveal the topic to Jesus when he asked. Unfortunately for them, he knew without having to be told — perhaps he was even waiting for something like this to happen.
Some theologians have argued that one of the of the reasons why Jesus did not make things plainer to his disciples in the past can be found here in their prideful concern over who would be “first” and “last.” Basically, they couldn’t be trusted to put the needs of others and the will of God before their own egos and their own desire for power.
The child here is used not so much as a symbol of innocence (which many believe) as he is a symbol of powerlessness. Jesus is telling his disciples to “receive” powerlessness — be receptive to being in a state without power over others in order to be worthy of also receiving the salvation Jesus offers. Receiving the child is also meant literally, of course: in order to be a good follower of Jesus, one must take in the powerless and vulnerable to help them.
This idea of service on behalf of others has been a powerful image throughout the history of Christianity — although not one that has always been honored in practice to the same degree that it has been praised with words. Some Christians have made the effort to humble themselves and be “last of all,” but many more have gone to great lengths in order to be “first” here on earth.
Are Christians who start television ministries beamed to homes around the world and which bring in millions each year in donations really being receptive to powerlessness? How many Christians have you met who actually and sincerely believe in the need to receive the Christian message as a powerless individual?
This raises an interesting question: if you do become a “servant of all” and thus “last of all” because you know that this is the path to become “first” in God’s kingdom, doesn’t that still make you power-hungry? Can a person who connives to get into power through a back door really be said to deserve the position of “first”?
