Mark 9:35 - July 7, 2010

Mark 9:35 “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

Jesus has set the stage for a personal confrontation with the ego problem that He sees at work in the hearts of His disciples. They have just arrived in Capernaum after a long walk where they passed through Galilee together. As they had been traveling Jesus became aware that the disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest amongst them and so He brings them aside to speak into this philosophical flaw in their thinking.

This passage from the training of His twelve key men carries within it an insight that is often overlooked in regard to what Jesus is actually teaching. Many times people relate to this passage as if it teaches that we are not to desire to be first. That is not what this passage actually communicates. The message of this passage in reality redefines what it means to be first and the true path to greatness. The implication found in both Christ’s teaching here and the actions that follow is that service IS greatness – real greatness. He does not imply in His actions that we should put up with people with patient suffering for the sake of some future greatness. The message in its reality is that a leader in the kingdom of God actually values and enjoys people!

The culture of that day was filled with examples of greatness that were based upon an abusive love of power for the rewards and self-indulgence that it made available to the ones who possessed it. In Luke 22:26 Jesus referenced the kings of the Gentiles and their habit of exalting themselves over the ones whom they led. Jesus reverses the entire cultural trend that has been seen by all of them with this one simply teaching; “lead from an opposite spirit.” The privilege of leadership is the opportunity to serve, to help, to be entrusted with making life better for those we lead.

Mark 9:35 is one of those verses that needs very little interpretation. What is really needed in understanding this passage is faith! For so many people the thought of possessing the power that comes with leadership their minds are immediately filled with the benefits that can be gained personally by this position. In verse 35 Jesus turns the attention of those who would lead to thoughts of what they can give! Serve everyone you can! Take the last and lowest place! In Luke 22:27 Jesus identifies the contrast between His leadership style and the common thinking of the day. He asks His disciples which is the common action of the greatest one, be served or to serve, knowing that their response will be that the greatest should be served. It is then that He draws their attention to His life by saying “I am among you as one who serves.” Leadership redefined is service with humility. Leadership redefined is valuing people and seeking to meet their needs. Leadership redefined takes faith!

Mark 9:33-34 - July 6, 2010

Mark 9:33-34 “They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.”

Have you ever been asked a question that you didn’t really want to answer? Jesus had an interesting capacity to ask questions that would provoke issues or bring topics to the surface in very revealing ways. In these times He did not resort to manipulation, nor pressure them for answers. He simply asked questions that if answered truthfully were sufficient to expose the heart of a matter.

On the road to Capernaum the disciples had been arguing amongst themselves regarding who was the greatest and it is clear from the way that this question was staged that Jesus already knew both the answer to His question and was prepared with the teaching points that He would give once He found the right setting to address the issue. The Lord’s patience is clearly seen in this situation as He restrains His response. The nature of the leadership style that He is seeking to instill in His disciples is foundational to the kingdom that He is bringing forth and the subject of their debate must have been of great concern to Him. Because of this the restraint He showed in responding to it was remarkable. Many leaders would have discerned the nature of the discussion taking place around them and quickly brought a strong rebuke to confront such wrong thinking. Jesus however, waits patiently until He finds the right setting for a thought provoking exchange rather than just blasting away at an area of wrong thinking with direct confrontation and rebuke.

The timing and nature of Christ’s confrontation displayed such great patience and care as He turned to them upon arriving quietly at the house where they would be staying. It is only then, in the solitude of this secure setting that He now turns to them, not with an explosive rage, or even a condescending tone. He simply turns and asks “what were you arguing about on the road?” He knew that all of the disciples were involved in this carnal discussion and so He turned the conversation into a confrontation born of the conscience not of personalities! It is certain that the disciples for the most part were not men who would attempt to lie to the Lord and therefore His question left them with only one evasive response available, and that was to give no response! His very question silenced them in conviction!

This is such a powerful lesson in bringing conviction into the lives of those with an area that is out of order in their lives. A well timed and direct question can in many cases apply more pressure to the conscience than a direct rebuke or confrontation. To rebuke there is often excuse making, to confrontation there is often defensiveness but a question leaves us with no one to argue with. It is our own answer, our own conscience that brings the correction. It is only when the disciples give no answer that Jesus concludes that they are now ready to receive instruction without the defensive presence of their egos. No one is singled out because they were all involved. Jesus calmly teaches them a higher way, a better way; the kingdom way! Lord teach us timing, restraint and wisdom in dealing with the needs in the lives of those we are responsible for, whether they are children, students, employees or congregation members! Lord give us your heart!