Bible Reading: Mark 9:33-37
Yesterday we focused on the phrase in “The Christmas Creed” that talked about proud people. Today we will talk about this phrase: “…whose life was among ordinary
people, whose welcome came from persons of hungry hearts.”
The proud people – the teachers of the law and the Pharisees – in yesterday’s devotional were people who were educated. They thought they had all the answers. They thought it was their job to tell everyone else what to think and do. As a result, they had blinded themselves from being able to really understand who Jesus was and why He was born.
The ordinary people were different. “The Christmas Creed” tells us that these people had “hungry hearts.” They understood that they didn’t know everything. They realized that they needed God. They listened eagerly to what Jesus said because they understood that they needed Jesus and the gospel of salvation that He taught. That’s the kind of people that Jesus wants us to be. In Mark 9:35b Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be the most important must make others more important than themselves. They must serve everyone else.”
Examine your heart and life. Are you more like the teachers of the law and Pharisees or the ordinary people? Do you understand your need for Jesus and His salvation or do you think you can handle life and do enough good to earn your way to heaven on your own?
I urge you to confess and repent of any pride – any “I can do it myself” attitude and ask God to give you a heart that is humble and hungry for the things of God. God will reward and honor you.
“Be humble before the Lord, and he will make you great.” James 4:10
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive my pride. Give me a heart that is humble and hungry for the things of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.