Greatness Through Service

Jesus speaks about being handed over, killed, and rising again. Meanwhile, the disciples argue about who among them is the greatest. From this story, we hear a surprising call from Jesus today: He calls us to be first.

How do we usually try to be first?

Our natural instinct is competition. From childhood on, we compare ourselves with others—who is stronger, smarter, more successful, who has more. This does not disappear as we grow older. We measure our lives against others: their success, their homes, their children, their opportunities.

The disciples are no different. When Jesus asks what they were discussing on the road, they remain silent, ashamed—because they were arguing about who was the greatest.

Competition can motivate achievements, but it also creates constant tension, comparison, and anxiety. We often think in terms of winners and losers. Even if we don’t want to be first, we usually know whom we want to be ahead of.

So the question remains: how does Jesus call us to be first?

Jesus’ way

Jesus answers clearly:

“If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

In God’s kingdom, the last and the servant are the first. This sounds impractical in a world that values power, status, and self-interest. What does it mean to live this way?

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Mark 9:30–37

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

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.”

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”