When Being First Matters (Mark 9-10)
10:43 PM
The world says “ To be successful others must serve you.” God says “ If you want to be first, then you must serve others.” This is a common theme, especially in the NT. It’s human nature to want to push ourselves to the forefront, to claim the spotlight, to be the one calling the shots. Even the disciples who spent day after day calling Jesus Lord and Messiah still had desires to be considered special and important. The disciples tried to keep their ambitions among themselves but Jesus knew their lofty thoughts and desires. He knew their worldly and very upside down way of thinking.
“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.””
Mark 9:33-35
Jesus taught that the love of God was a selfless serving love that put the needs and wellbeing of others first. When the rich ruler approached Jesus he asked: “ What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He wasn’t as interested in eternity, however, as he was in having all that the world had to offer. When Jesus told him he needed to sell all of his worldly possessions to follow him, the rich man was devastated. He had a choice to make and he chose the comfort and power of wealth over an intimate relationship with Jesus and eternity in heaven. Sadly, this is the fate of many around us as the world entices them with the false security of “ getting ahead”, of having the favor of others and the illusion of being first.
Even the disciples questioned how could someone be saved when the enticing power of being self-seeking was such a powerful force. “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.””
Mark 10:27 That is why we are blessed to have God’s saving grace. God can transform our selfishness into that serving love that characterizes His kingdom. Jesus serves as the greatest example of humbling Himself to serve others.
“But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””
Mark 10:43-45
Jesus wants to develop that same love in us and keep us focused on who we are “ in Him”. Being “ in Christ” is the highest level of gain we could ever hope to have.
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