³⁰ They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it;
³¹ for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."
³² But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to ask him.
³³ And they came to Caper'na-um; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?"
³⁴ But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest.
³⁵ And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, "If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all."
³⁶ And he took a child, and put him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms, he said to them,
³⁷ "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me."

• For the second time, Jesus predicts his coming death and resurrection. "But they did not understand "(v. 32). Is this due to a lack of comprehension or a subconscious fear of suffering?
• (v.34) The disciples sensed that their discussion of who was the greatest was improper and incorrect, yet they did it out of Jesus' earshot (or so they thought). What criterion could have been used by them in spite of Jesus' teaching?
• (v.35) The other Gospels also highlight the teaching of Jesus regarding humble service, for example Luke 22:26. But most illustriously, John 13:1-20 has Jesus go down on his knees and wash his disciples' feet, to give them an example.
• (v.37) A child, a symbolic description of the least noticed, heard, seen, respected face in a crowd ("the least of them") carries a dignity beyond appearance. It is the dignity of the presence of Jesus within him.

The time for His Passion is near. Jesus dedicates whatever time left to teach his apostles. He again predicts his death and resurrection. He instructs his students on the need for humility when serving each other. He raises the dignity of all those whom the apostles shall serve.

1. Foretold that the path of discipleship is suffering, how fearful am I? What form of suffering am I most fearful of?
2. In my following Jesus, have I wanted to be first instead of last? What rewards do I look for in return for my service?
3. Who are "the children" in my eyes? Are they the uneducated, the poor immigrants who "drain our resources ," the immoral - low-in-spirit, the sinners, etc.? How do I recognize them in my midst? How do I receive them?

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A synthesis by the Vietnamese Christian Life (Dong Hanh) Community