Argument Settled On Criteria For Greatness

Mark 9:33-35 (NIV) – 33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “WHAT WERE YOU ARGUING ABOUT on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way THEY HAD ARGUED ABOUT WHO WAS THE GREATEST. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “ANYONE WHO WANTS to be first MUST BE the very last, and THE SERVANT OF ALL.”

The disciples had an argument amongst themselves on who amongst them was great. They had different proposals on how to determine who is the greatest. They couldn’t agree on a formula. Each formula seemed to place a different person on the greatness platform. Between me and you, who is great?

They were also afraid of being proved wrong by Jesus. They were afraid that a statement from Jesus could relegate them to inferiority in comparison to the opposing argument team. None of them were sure if they were right. They all sensed that something was wrong with their position on the matter of greatness. That is why they didn’t respond when Jesus asked them what they were arguing about.

When Jesus chose the twelve disciples, He did not appoint any of them to be the greatest. Had Jesus appointed one of them, then the discussion wouldn’t be about who is great. The argument arose because they thought there is a leadership gap. They were interested in a pecking order.

Jesus knew what they were arguing about. Jesus knew they wouldn’t answer Him. Jesus knew that the question at hand was so critical to avoid human opinions taking precedence over God’s will. Therefore Jesus went ahead to answer the question they were arguing about.

Mark 9:33-35 (NIV) – 33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “WHAT WERE YOU ARGUING ABOUT on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way THEY HAD ARGUED ABOUT WHO WAS THE GREATEST. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “ANYONE WHO WANTS to be first MUST BE the very last, and THE SERVANT OF ALL.”

Jesus told them that greatness is in humility. Accept to be last and you would have begun your journey to greatness. The fact that they were arguing means they did not want to be last. That which they didn’t want is the very thing that gave greatness. Accept to be last!

Accept to let others have the best portion of the minimum resources being shared. Accept to be considered next time. Accept to be bypassed even though it’s your turn. Accept to be last, and God in His formula will hurl you to greatness. This is the unbelievable path to greatness!

Jesus said you MUST be last if you are to be great. Accept to be last. Not because you are weak and poor, but because you are humble. Accept to be last and you will be great!

Accept to be last, is different from being the worst student in class. It’s different from being the worst worker in the organization. Is different from being the worker that the entire management can’t wait to get rid of. It’s different from being the nuisance of the family. Accept to be last, means you are the best, but out of humility you give others a chance and you accept to be last.

Not just last but the very last. You accept to be at the tail end. A very humble place to be. You let others take prime land and you accept whatever remains. As it was in the case of Abraham and Lot. Abraham told Lot to choose first and he would take whatever remains. He accepted to be the very last. This is the path to greatness. Accept to be the very last.

Mark 9:33-35 (NIV) – 33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “WHAT WERE YOU ARGUING ABOUT on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way THEY HAD ARGUED ABOUT WHO WAS THE GREATEST. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “ANYONE WHO WANTS to be first MUST BE the very last, and THE SERVANT OF ALL.”

The disciples had a problem with serving each other. That is why they were arguing about greatness. That is why no one rose to do the routine foot washing until the Master stood to do it. They felt it was inferior to serve others. Yet Jesus says to them that the path to greatness is in serving all.

The servant of all. The servant of the king may feel superior to other servants. Jesus says greatness is in serving all not just the king. Not serving some, but serving all. Not serving the rich but serving all. Not serving the political class but serving all. Not serving your class of people but serving all. This is the path to greatness!

Serve all. Attend to the bereaved poor as you do to the bereaved rich whom you are trying to catch their attention and impress. Send seasons greetings to all classes of people, not just the few that you seek something from. Be a servant of all. Be polite and offer a seat to all as you would to those who are high and mighty. Be a servant to all. Pick calls from all. Be a servant to all and greatness will be your portion.

Jesus changed the criteria of identifying a good leader. We choose the most popular person. We choose someone who represents a larger group of people. We choose somebody who is influential and wealthy. We choose a good orator. Jesus says the best leader is humble and serves all. In other words a good leader has a good attitude and is known for the work they do wholeheartedly for all. Humble and a servant for all!

When rewarding the best amongst a group, reward the humble and servant for all. This is the undisputed criteria that Jesus gave us. Think of having such people amongst us. The environment will never be toxic. It would be safe to make mistakes and correct them. People become a team without costly team building events. Humble and servant of all!

May God make me humble and a servant of all. May God provide our homes, schools and workplaces with humble people who gladly serve all. May our leaders and greatest people amongst us be those who are humble and gladly serve all. In Jesus name, Amen!

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