Mark 9:30-37
For the past two weeks Jesus has surprised us with His words. Two Sundays ago, He called dog to a woman who asked him to heal her daughter. Last Sunday -even when we did not read it- part of the passage we read included Jesus calling Peter Satan,… and now one more time He is surprising His disciples with a statement that in those times could have only come from Jesus: “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
Let us remember the context of these words: Last Sunday we read in the gospel of Mark about Peter’s confession and Jesus’ invitation to take the cross and follow Him; a lot has happened in between that moment and our reading today. In chapter 9 Jesus was transfigured on the top of the mountain before Peter, James and John; they saw Jesus in the company of Elijah and Moses; after that, He healed a boy with an evil spirit when his disciples were unable to do it. After Peter’s confession, as well as after the healing of the boy with the evil spirit, Jesus told them that the Son of Man -meaning he- will be betrayed, killed and after three days rise again, and Mark adds this: but they did not understand and were afraid to ask Him about.
Then in todays’ scripture, Mark tells us about their journey to Capernaum. Now, one can imagine that after their master, their teacher, the man they confessed to be the Messiah told them He was going to died, this was going to be the issue to talk about on the way to Capernaum, this could be the issue they would be thinking about, but no, what they were not talking, but arguing about was, who was the greatest among them. Can you imagine Jesus’ disappointment when he heard this? In the moment when He needed more support, in the moment when He needed someone walking by His side; in the moment when He was talking about His humiliation, suffering and death for all the sinners, His disciples, his friends were exalting their egos and looking for reasons to be the greatest among them.
From the information we find in Mark and the other gospels it is so easy to imagine the argument of each of the twelve to be the greatest. I can imagine Peter, John and James thinking they deserved to be the greatest because they were Jesus’ favorite disciples; He just took them to the mountain, and they saw his glory and majesty when he was transfigured in front them, no in front the others. I can hear Judas saying, I should be the number one, Jesus trusts me better that anyone, He chose me to take care of the money, or Andrew, Peter’s brother saying I should be number one, among of all of you, I was the first one to follow Jesus after John the Baptist told us, Jesus was the Messiah. Do you remember Peter? I brought you to Jesus. 9This is according to the Gospel of John) And meanwhile, Jesus was thinking in the future of His movement, in the future of His kingdom; in the struggles of His disciples after His death; the struggles over power. I can imagine Jesus looking his followers acting in the childish way they did; I can imagine Jesus asking Himself or asking His Father, how come they have not understood my message. How come they have not seen my example? How come after three and a half years they have not learned? How come if they know I am the Messiah and I am going to Jerusalem to die, they are acting like this?
When they finally arrived to their destination Jesus asked them about what they were arguing on the road. And Mark says that they kept silent, they were quiet. They were quiet because they knew what they were arguing about was wrong, was against Jesus’ teaching and example. Jesus’ disciples were acting as children… and not only that, according to Matthew’s version of this event in chapter 20, verses 25-28, Jesus compared their attitude with the gentiles. This is what Matthew says, 25 Jesus called them together and said,“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—28 just as the Son of Mandid not come to be served, but to serve,and to give his life as a ransomfor many.”
Gentile is a word to describe a person who does not have the knowledge of God; the God revealed in Jesus. In other words, what Jesus told them was, “when you are arguing among you about who is the greatest, you are not acting as my followers; you are not acting according to my example, but according to the example of this world.”
This event described by all the synoptics, was, I believe a decisive moment not only in Jesus’ ministry or in the life of the disciples, but for the future of the church. Twelve men who were chosen to be the extension of Jesus; twelve men called by God to continue building God’s kingdom; twelve men who had the responsibility to pass on the teaching and example of Jesus were arguing over who deserved to have more power. What they did not know is that they were about to get a life changing lesson, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
I wonder how they felt after hearing Jesus saying that. A few moments before they were presenting to each other arguments, reasons why they should be in front of the line, seated on the highest chair, and now Jesus is asking them to go to the end of the line; a few moments before they were arguing about who deserve to be served, now Jesus is asking them to humiliate and serve others; a few moments before they were following the gentiles’ way, now Jesus is asking them to follow His example. And thanks God they did follow His example; thanks God they overcame the temptation of power and were able to work together; thanks God that now we can read in the Book of Acts chapter 6, about 7 good leaders of the early church; 7 men full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, serving tables, serving food to the Greeks widows in Jerusalem. Thanks God they learned their lesson and changed their attitude toward others; thanks God they understood that it was not about them, but it was about Jesus, His Church and His ministry.
Now, the question is, have we, the church of the 21st century learned the lesson about what “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all”, means to us today? It is normal in our modern society to emphasize self-promotion, personal success, and the pursuit of power. especially during elections time. Jesus’ words to his disciples challenge our lifestyle and our pursuit to power by promoting humility and service over status. In a world of a constant race to the top, Jesus’ teaching reminds us that true greatness comes from serving others rather than seeking recognition, and encourage believers to resist pride, and to put others’ needs before our own, the same way Jesus did.
As we can see it in our society and in some of our churches too, the greatness of leadership is measured by the achievements, but Jesus redefines leadership as service. “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” These words were given to us to inspire church leaders and our civil leaders to adopt a servant-leadership approach, where they prioritize the well-being and growth of others. Instead of seeking personal validation through titles or roles. We Christians are called to serve one another out of love. Out of the love of Jesus and our neighbors.
In a world where some are left behind or marginalized, offended and attack, the principle of being “last” can remind the church to care for the most vulnerable in society. These words from Jesus must encourage us to advocate for social justice, where we not only look to serve those who can benefit us but also those who are often overlooked. “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” must encourage the church to continue being a model of Christ’s love by loving to the poor, the sick, the persecuted and the marginalized.
Within the church community, this teaching fights against internal competition or divisions. Instead of jostling for power, recognition, or influence, Jesus’ words invite believers to humble themselves, seek unity, and build each other up. This attitude fosters a healthier, more supportive church environment, where everyone feels valued and cared for.
Let us remember that greatness and servanthood—both attitudes are part of our nature. Greatness is what the disciples and most people aspire to. To rule over others, to control, to be number one. In Matthew Jesus calls it the gentiles way. The second, -servanthood- is that for which we were created. That is the one Jesus is asking us to follow. Greatness indicates our quest in life, servanthood shows the best of Christian life. Which one are we going to follow? According to which one are we going to live?