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- Mark 9:33-35
Mark 9:33-35
They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, 'What were you arguing about on the road?' But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, 'Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.
In the fast-paced, success-addicted Western world that we call home, the concept of greatness is often linked to power, wealth, and status. However, Jesus challenges this, offering a countercultural perspective on what it means to be truly great.
As the disciples argued about who among them was the greatest, Jesus leveraged the opportunity to show them a new way. He made it clear that true greatness is not found in self-promotion or demonstrating power over others but in humility and service.
This radical call to servanthood sounds great until we have to put it into practice. It can be challenging. It requires us to shift our focus from self to others, to prioritize compassion over competition, and to seek ways to serve rather than to be served. It's a reminder that in God's kingdom, greatness is measured not by our achievements, but by our willingness to love and serve selflessly.
“Dear God, empower us to lay down our selfish motives and to be people who lift others through love and service. May our lives reflect you in this way, bettering our communities and allowing others to see you through us. Amen.”