Mark 9:33-37 NASB1995: They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.”

How were children generally regarded by adults in Jesus’ time on the earth? From what I understand, they were not of much regard at all, and they were considered more as a bother or as a nuisance or as those who they had to endure, but they were not welcome or included among the adults (or just among the adult males). Women were not regarded by men much higher than children, from what I recall, and were often treated more like they were slaves, as though they were beneath men, rather than treated with value.

But Jesus treated both women and children with dignity, with love, with compassion, and with caring. He held the children in his arms and he ministered to them. And he took time with the women, and he listened to them, and he had conversations with them, and he included them in the ministry, and he honored them for their walks of faith in obedience to the Lord. And he healed their diseases, and he answered their questions. He treated neither children nor women as though they were less than men.

Now, whether you are male or female, the goal in life is not to “one up” the other to gain superiority over anyone. It is not to be about who is better at this than someone else, or who has more money or more power or more prestige. Men should love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. And pastors are to lead by example, not with an iron fist. And women are to treat their husbands with dignity, and yield to their positions as head, but never to submit to what is sinful (immoral/wicked).

[Proverbs 24:17-20; Proverbs 25:21-22; Matthew 5:8-12,43-48; Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:27-36; Luke 10:27; John 13:33-35; John 15:12; Romans 12:9-11,14-21; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; 1 Corinthians 16:14; 1 John 4:7]

And all of us, no matter who we are, should not be trying to prove ourselves superior to the other, hoping to outrank or to outthink the other just to prove we are the best. All of us should humble ourselves and surrender our lives to the control of God as Lord of our lives. All of us should have that child-like trust in the Lord to where we submit to his Lordship over our lives and yield to his wisdom. All of us are to come under the authority of God and to be thankful for his grace which not one of us deserves, in our own flesh.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Acts 26:18]

In Harmony

Based off Romans 12:9-21; 1 Peter 3:8-17
An Original Work / September 2, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Love each other truly.
Cling to what is good.
Hate all that is evil.
Never lack in zeal.
Serve the Lord with fervor.
Joyful in hope be;
Patient in affliction;
Praying faithfully.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

Share with all God’s people
Who are found in need.
Do not be conceited.
Sympathetic be.
Love, and show compassion
In humility.
Keep your tongue from evil.
Peaceful you must be.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

God sees who are righteous;
Listens to their prayers.
But He’s against evil –
Is His to avenge.
Do not fear what they fear.
Suffer patiently.
In your hearts, make Christ Lord.
Serve Him faithfully.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

Serving God and Loving Others
An Original Work / January 29, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love