The Greatest Among You

For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

                                                                    (Mark 9:31-35 KJV)

Wow! So much to cover in these five verses! 

Now, the disciples were a bit embarrassed to admit to Jesus that they had been busy debating who would be the greatest among them. But, Jesus knew. He knows everything that we say and think and do. He reminds them that the greatest among them would be the least among them. The greatest are those who humble themselves by serving others; by serving God. 

As we consider following in the footsteps of Jesus we remember that he is the King of Kings yet he was willing to humble himself to serve all people by suffering and dying on the cross for our sins. The disciples did not understand any of that; at least, not until after he was crucified and rose from the grave.   

God help us to love and serve others. Help our earthly rulers to also understand that they who would consider themselves above others are not above others but have debased themselves by their selfishness and greed for riches and power over others. Help us all to understand that the greatest among us are those who serve others. God grant us leaders who love you and the people they serve. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.