Disciples Arguing About Who is The Greatest
October 4, 2019
Commentary
It seems that whenever Jesus talked about His death, it brought out some spiritual flaws in the lives of the disciples. In the present passage, we see them arguing with one another about who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom.
Leaving the north country Jesus and His disciples passed through Galilee on their way to Jerusalem. His public ministry in Galilee was ended and from now on He was concentrating on a private ministry with His disciples (vv. 30-32). When they arrived in Capernaum, Jesus asked, “What were you talking about on the way” (v. 33)? There was an embarrassed silence and a sense of shame (vv. 34-35). He had been talking about the cross and giving Himself for the sins of the world and they were talking about self-glory and self-greatness. So long as they thought that Jesus was not listening and that Jesus had not seen, the argument about who should be greatest seemed fair enough, but when that argument had to be stated in the presence of Jesus it was seen in all its selfishness.
His central message was to prepare them for His coming death and resurrection, but their spiritual ears were dull of hearing. Instead they had been arguing along the way as to who would be the greatest in the kingdom they expected him to set up when they arrived in Jerusalem. Jesus taught the disciples to welcome children (vv. 36-37). This was a new approach in a society where children were usually regarded as second class citizens. He told them that, “If any man desired to be first, the same shall be last and servant of all.” In other words, the marks of true greatness are humility and service. Truly great men of God have not used society to further their own personal ambitions, but those who have used their personal gifts and talents to serve society. Many problems would be solved if men lived for what they could do for others and not for what they could get for themselves.
Application
I should not in my selfishness be trying to receive special recognition, but always seeking ways I can serve people and bring glory and honor to my wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Mark 9:30– 37 (NET)
30 They went out from there and passed through Galilee. But Jesus did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand this statement and were afraid to ask him.
33 Then they came to Capernaum. After Jesus was inside the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 After he sat down, he called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Illustration: Boys Argue Over Who Gets The First Pancake
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, and Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake; I can wait.” Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus!” (Source unknown)