If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.
Mark 9:35 (NIV)
The disciples were silent – they had been arguing over who was the greatest. Maybe Matthew felt he was due a promotion because he’d laid aside his shady business to follow Christ. Certainly, Peter had reason to boast; he was the only one of them who’d had the guts to step out of the boat when he saw Jesus walking on the water. Then again, John had a pretty cool nickname; the disciple whom Jesus loved. Surely, this would count for something.
Yet Jesus rocked the boat when he stated, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” So much for impressive credentials, winning the popularity vote, or trying to impress the Master.
Truth is, you can’t curry favor with God by doing good deeds, sharing generously with others, loving those who are less-than-lovable, or donating all of your possessions to the poor. There is nothing–not one single act or lifestyle–that can ingratiate you with God. Because He’s not impressible.
Not that these actions and conducts are negligible. Yet what God desires is an attitude of humility, working not for man’s praise or in hopes that God will applaud our efforts. He looks for individuals with a willingness to let others shine and take a backstage, a heart that loves to serve others, a soul that says, “I must become less so that He might become greater.”
Ours is a worthy calling – to be last instead of first, to serve rather than be served, to decrease that He might increase. Therein lays true greatness.
Thought: “As believers, we also are blessed with the grace that equips us for divine service.” – John MacArthur Jr.
For further reading:
- Matthew 20:28
- Luke 22:27
- John 13:4-5
- Philippians 2:7
Excerpt from A Year in God’s Classroom