The Least Is Greatest: Daily Thoughts from Mark (Mark 9:33-37)

How do you know when someone’s ego is too far gone?  They don’t get embarrassed by their obvious conceitedness.  They perhaps even celebrate it.  “Nobody builds walls better than me…I will be the best God created, believe me.”

Apparently the disciples of Jesus were not too far gone egotistically.  They were silent when Jesus talked about his death because they couldn’t process the idea, but they were silent when he asked them about their discussion on the way because they were embarrassed.

And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (Mark 9:33-37, ESV)

It is difficult not to want to be first.  If I have a viewpoint that I feel is worth something, I want to be first with it and I want others to see its superiority and submit to it.  If I have a task to accomplish I don’t want anyone getting in my way.  And I want what I want when I want it. It becomes all about me and the safest way to take care of me is to have the first place among others, to be the greatest.

Normally I will not be well-regarded for such an attitude.  I will not be beloved, the way we love little children, who care not, it seems, for greatness, but only want to love and be loved.  And I will not fulfill my desire, and God’s desire for me, to serve and bless others if I maintain this selfish cast.

The greater honor goes to those who serve.  The news outlets have learned to conclude their broadcasts with something positive after all the bad news, and one typical way of doing that has been to show someone doing something loving and sacrificial.  Our best hearts rejoice in that.  That’s what we’re meant to be.

That’s what Jesus is.  And I receive and imitate Jesus when I receive (serve) his “children.”  I also, in so serving, receive the Father.  They, the Father and Jesus, have sent my way those who need serving and I show my truest colors when I receive them with a heart of unselfish service.

Those who embrace God’s kingdom must be last in ego terms and servants of all.