The greatest among you ∙∙

The greatest among you ∙∙

“If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” – Mark 9:35

Mark 10:37-45

37 James and John replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking!”
40 “But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

41 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant.

43 But among you, it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

People often carry a deep and driving ambition to advance, get ahead, and achieve more in life. The quest for respect, acknowledgment, approval, acceptance, and esteem drives them to shape their goals. These desires are often closely tied to one’s sense of identity and self-worth. For some, life begins with significant challenges, which they strive hard to overcome.

Sometimes, it seems as though there is some invisible caste or ranking system within our psyche that influences how we see ourselves and others. This invisible pecking order can uplift self-esteem or distort it, shaping our sense of value and well-being. Some individuals rise to the top, while others seem mired at the bottom, struggling to break free.

The pursuit or absence of recognition and status often fuels comparison, envy, conflict, even aggressive competition, and fierce rivalry. Many find themselves locked in battles for significance and validation, while others aim for authority and absolute dominance over their peers.

Even the disciples of Jesus Christ weren’t immune to these struggles. The Gospels lay bare their moments of rivalry and desire for power. For instance, in Mark 10:37, 41, James and John approached Jesus with a bold request: “Grant us the honor of sitting next to you in glory—one at your right hand and the other at your left.” Their ambition caused discord, and the other ten disciples reacted with anger when they heard what had been asked.

James and John’s request for special recognition and positions of honor was indeed audacious. Yet, Jesus responded to them with remarkable patience, grace, and kindness. The other disciples, on the other hand, were outraged. Why was that? Reflect for a moment; could it be that they were thinking the same thing as James and John? But they felt resentful because James and John had voiced it first. Their anger hints that they also longed for status and important roles.

Luke 22:24 tells us that the disciples even argued among themselves, each vying to be seen as the greatest among them.

This behavior, unfortunately, reflects the self-centered focus often seen in human nature. Our own interests too frequently take prominence. What makes it even more striking is the timing of their request. It came right after Jesus had spoken of His impending suffering—the humiliation, crucifixion, and death He was about to endure. Did they pause to consider how Jesus might feel? Their actions suggest they were oblivious or indifferent. They seemed distracted, not fully grasping the gravity of the moment.

Were the disciples heartlessly uncaring? It doesn’t seem so. More likely, they were simply unaware, caught up in their own aspirations. They were simply clueless. They completely overlooked the enormous reality hanging over the moment, the proverbial elephant in the room. While they were busy angling for prestige in God’s Kingdom, Jesus was preparing Himself for the ultimate sacrifice. The contrast couldn’t be sharper. The irony is palpable.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Lord Jesus Christ didn’t condemn ambition or the desire to achieve greatness. Instead, He repurposed it. “For the ambition to rule, he substituted the ambition to serve. For the ambition to have things done for us, he substituted the ambition to do things for others” (Barclay).

Father, help me to cultivate a servant’s heart and calm the restless urge to assert myself. Teach me to find joy in being second and to honor others above myself.

INSIGHT

The Lord Jesus Christ introduced a leadership model that defied all conventional wisdom—servant leadership. This concept was not only groundbreaking but entirely transformative and revolutionary. It challenged the deeply ingrained notions of status and authority, flipping the traditional hierarchy on its head. In His vision, true greatness was not found in dominance or power but in humility and service to others. He proclaimed, “If anyone wants to be first, they must become the last and serve everyone else” (Mark 9:35).

This path to honor is anything but ordinary. It’s an often-overlooked road that requires selflessness and sacrifice, yet it leads to enduring recognition in the Kingdom of God.

But Jesus didn’t stop at simply teaching this way of life—He embodied it. He didn’t just speak of serving others; He actively demonstrated it. From washing His disciples’ feet to laying down His life on the cross, He modeled the selfless actions He called His followers to emulate. Through His example, Jesus showed that servant leadership isn’t just a philosophy—it’s a way of life.

Mark 10:42-45

42 So Jesus called them together and said, you know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.
43 But among you, it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

If you truly want to be great in the Father’s kingdom, you have to become the servant of all. Success is found by deliberately choosing to serve others before we serve ourselves. Success comes through intentionally placing the needs of others ahead of your own. Choosing to serve is a deliberate act, one that requires humility and selflessness.

If you truly want to be great in the Father’s kingdom, you have to become the servant of all. Success is found by deliberately choosing to serve others before we serve ourselves. Success comes through intentionally placing the needs of others ahead of your own. Choosing to serve is a deliberate act, one that requires humility and selflessness.

Mark 10:45 reminds us of the ultimate example of this principle: “Even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Jesus redefined what it means to lead and to love, illustrating that sacrifice lies at the heart of service.

Here’s a modest proposal: aim to be a penult. Instead of seeking to be last, settle for being almost last.

The term “penult” is derived from the word “penultimate,” which means “next to last.” Its roots trace back to the Latin words paene (almost) and ultima (last).

Why aim to be a penult? In our fallen state, we need to learn not to take our strengths or our weaknesses too seriously. We will never be impeccable servants, and it’s also doubtful that we will ever be dead last, either.

I could delve into the topic of Planter’s penults, but I’ll reserve that discussion for another time.

¯_(ツ)_/¯ 1-18-22

© Dr. H 2024