“Who is the Greatest?” The Gospel of Jesus Christ: the book of Mark

Read: Mark 9:30-37 NLT – Jesus Again Predicts His Death – Bible Gateway

“Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Mark 9:35 NLT

In the sports world, ‘who is the Greatest” is debated over social media and between sports commentators and pundits. Each sport has its own debate as ‘who is the Greatest in their sport and the conversation expands to who is the greatest sport athlete of all time. We refer to that individual as the G.O.A.T. (the Greatest of All Time) Although each sport will also have its own G.O.A.T.. The world has its own categories of ‘who is the Greatest’ among presidents, political leaders, war heroes, entrepreneurs, risks takers, inventors, musicians, entertainers, the list goes on. The world debates ‘who is the Greatest and many in the world desire to be the greatest in their field of expertise. Jesus has some thoughts on who is the Greatest in this week’s look into the gospel of Mark in our Biblical Insights.

Jesus is leaving the Caesarea Philippi region for the last time and heading to Jerusalem where in a few months He will suffer and be put to death on a cross. Traveling with His disciples, His ministry in the Galilean region is now over. Jesus makes a planned stop in Carpernaum His home base during His three years of ministry, also for the last time. The ministry to the people may be completed, but Jesus’ ministry in teaching His disciples is continuing and with greater emphasis for His time is short. Jesus wanted to prepare the disciples for the soon-to-be events, but so far they couldn’t understand what Jesus was referring to when He spoke of His death and resurrection. “(Jesus) wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.’  They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant.” (Mk.9:31-32 nlt)

When Jesus and His disciples arrived in Capernaum scripture says they settled into a house. Most likely this was Peter’s and Andrew’s home where Jesus stayed most often. The first thing Jesus did, probably after the door was close, was to asked them a question. “Jesus asked his disciples, ‘What were you discussing out on the road?’” (Mk.9:33 nlt) Jesus didn’t need to ask them, He knew, but it required an answer which they failed to give. The verb ‘asked’ is in the perfect tense suggesting a repeating. It probably wasn’t the first time Jesus asked them, but asked continually on the road, but they stifled their conversation and did not answer. Now they’re alone with Jesus, the door closed and still no response. Why didn’t they answer, “because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.” (Mk.9:34 nlt) They were embarrassed being concerned about their own status in Jesus’ kingdom than trying to understand what He was teaching them.

Before we jump on the disciples with criticism, let’s think this through. While we’re thinking of this let’s think about ourselves and the world we live in. Someone’s rank and status in the Jewish culture of the disciples’ day were important roles to achieve. Rank and status in our culture is just as important to those seeking that high position as it was for the disciples. Whatever we may be seeking if it doesn’t line up with Jesus’ mission for us is a selfish reason for wanting to achieve it. Jesus is about to revolutionize our concept of leadership and greatness through teaching the disciples, which they need as well.

The Bible says Jesus sat down and called His disciples to Himself. Whenever Scripture notes that Jesus ‘sat down’ to teach, it is to stress an official time of teaching. Pay attention and listen, the Rabbi, the teacher, is about to speak, and speak Jesus did. “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” (Mk.9:35 nlt) This goes against the grain in our day and I’m sure the disciples questioned this statement. Jesus is not condemning leadership but showing how it is to be exercised. Leaders are always needed in any culture. The disciples had the desire to be first, to be on top. Jesus was reversing that line of thinking. In reality, the disciples’ position in leadership was secure and recognized by Jesus when He called them together. Now they needed to know how to act like leaders.

For that Jesus put a little child in front of them. Since this was Peter’s home, it could very well have been Peter’s child, “Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.” (Mk.9:36-37 nlt) The willingness to humble oneself and serve a little child by putting them in your arms is the mark of true Greatest. When we act in this way, we are serving Christ and God the Father. This is also an example of all Christians who have come to know the Lord by simple faith and humbling themselves like a trusting little child.  

Who is the Greatest among us? Those who humble themselves at the feet of Jesus accepting Him as their personal savior through faith as a child for forgiveness of sin and assurance of salvation and eternal life. It doesn’t end there, then we follow Jesus’ example when He said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others.” (Mk.10:45 nlt) Who is the Greatest, it is those who serve. It could be you!