In our Australian culture (And I can only assume it is like this in other cultures), we have a fascination with discussing who is the greatest.
Who is the greatest Cricketer? The greatest footballer, the greatest farmer, the greatest prime minister etc.
I’m sure many a pub conversation has been had discussing and debating who is the greatest cricketer or greatest footballer. Well one day, Jesus discovers his disciples had been bickering and arguing about
who was the greatest, but when Jesus questioned them about their bickering: They kept quiet Mark 9:34a)
They were silent because they knew better than to openly argue about such a thing.
Jesus had after all been teaching them about the Kingdom of God.
Now they expected to have an exalted place in that kingdom, based on their service to Jesus.
Well, Jesus certainly did have something to share with them about the true path to greatness – which is very different than how we might see it to be. “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35b)
Jesus here is patiently and gently teaching his disciples a lesson that they should have learnt long before this. The Lesson: God’s view of greatness is not man’s view.
God doesn’t view greatness the same way humans do.
In the world today, you can become great by putting yourself forward to be recognised, clawing your way to the top while pushing others down, being arrogant and self-focused – BUT in the kingdom of God you become great by lowering yourself and being the last of all.
If being great in the world means being served by others – in God’s kingdom being great means serving others, just as Christ Jesus first served you.
Pastor Joel Grieger
Lutheran Church, Bordertown and Keith
