Who wants to be the greatest? Maybe the answer is, ‘most of us’
By Dean Collins
What were you discussing when…?
At first glance it is a nosy sort of question, I suppose. There probably are not many people with whom you believe you have any responsibility to share that information. Who needs to know what conversations we have with our friends and colleagues as we move through life?
At second glance it could be a question based in the insecurity of the one who posed it. Some people are hypersensitive about conversations that don’t include them. Some immediately assume their role, your life, or your organization demands that they participate in all conversations because they are either entitled to certain information or because they perceive their value is so high you couldn’t possibly make decisions without their perspective. One glance at Twitter or Facebook in a day will give hundreds of examples of people who feel certain their opinion is vital to whatever is being discussed.
But what if it was Jesus who asked the question? What if he stopped by the house later this evening or met you for coffee tomorrow and asked, “What were you and So- and-so talking about yesterday on the way to the parking lot?” Of course, since it was Jesus, he would also know So-and-so and therefore would probably also know what the two of you or the few of you were discussing. So why would he bother to ask?
Avoiding the question
One day after the disciples had arrived in Capernaum and settled in for the evening, Mark tells us Jesus did ask this very question: “What were you discussing out on the road?” Maybe the fact that they had distanced themselves from hearing range was the first hint Jesus needed to suspect the disciples were up to something.
We can only imagine the antics of the different characters as they avoided the question.
Peter: “Let me get the water to clean up our feet”
John: “Does anyone need help in the kitchen?”
Thomas: “I don’t remember us talking about anything really.”
James: “was that before or after lunch?”
The other disciples just slipped away quietly. The end result was that no one answered the question. We might be able to avoid some questions and some conversations. Maybe some things really don’t need to be discussed. But if it’s Jesus who asked us the question, it seems like maybe we ought to slow down and have the conversation.
Mark told us why they didn’t answer. They were discussing which one of them was the greatest or most important. And it wasn’t a discussion; it was more of an argument. And it appeared that a few of them had really strong opinions.
Seeking last place
Years ago while working as a consultant in a particular company, several of the senior executives came to me one by one to share their perspectives on which of them should become the next CEO of the company. Their boss had indicated he would be stepping down. Each conversation was a case for why this person or that person shouldn’t be considered and why another should be. And of course, several thought they were the most logical choice. Because I had some influence, they hoped I would be able to weigh in on the correct succession candidate. Thinking back on this situation, I imagine it probably sounded a lot like the one the disciples were having on the road that day.
Even though the disciples never answered his question, Jesus proceeded to huddle the fellas together and gave them this comment: “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” If someone had a phone and could have snapped a picture of the group, I imagine we would see some staring at the floor, some staring at each other with anger assuming the identity of who had outed them to Jesus. Some might have had the classic poker face, but I sort of doubt it.
As we read on in Mark 10, it becomes obvious that the disciples didn’t buy in to the teaching of Jesus about the first taking last place and the role of a servant as a prerequisite to greatness. Twice in Mark 10, Jesus comes back to this very topic.
First, it was Peter right after the rich man went away in grief after Jesus told him to give up his wealth in order to follow Jesus. Peter, who likely wanted Jesus to know his sacrifice was greater than the rich man’s, told Jesus, “We’ve given up everything to follow you!” Let’s give Peter a gold star for using “we” instead of “I.” Baby steps are still steps in maturity. At the end of this encounter, Jesus restates his previous lesson: “But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
Asking what they didn’t understand
Toward the end of chapter 10, we see the disciples walking again, this time on the way to Jerusalem. Jesus was ahead of them that day, on the path and on fulfilling his purpose of redeeming all of humanity on the cross that was waiting for him in Jerusalem. That would be his final teaching on the least and the last being first and greatest. But ahead of his ultimate example, he was approached by James and John.
The sons of Zebedee picked up their pace and caught up with Jesus. They had a request they thought they should keep between them and Jesus. Jesus told us to pray in a closet or private place, and maybe the reason is not simply about keeping our focus but so others don’t hear our less mature requests!
James and John may have been quoting something they had heard Jesus say about prayer in one of his teachings. On more than one occasion, Jesus did say we could ask him anything in prayer. And we, like James and John, often twist the words of Jesus in order to justify our request. James and John wanted positional authority in the future kingdom. One wanted to be seated on the right hand of Jesus and the other on the left.
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus answered. I suspect that is often true with our prayers as well. Don’t we often have the plan and the path worked out in our heads and our prayers are simply to get Jesus to sign off on them? After all, Jesus has a lot of requests and probably could use some help with how things should go for us.
After some explanation that was hard to hear about future suffering, and after the other 10 disciples heard the power grab conversation that didn’t include them, Jesus, for the third time came back to the subject of greatness and how it is achieved. This time he was very clear that God does not measure “greatest” as it’s seen in human kingdoms and systems. “Greatest” is achieved only one way: “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Clarifying our priorities
The disciples probably didn’t fully understand until after the resurrection. They would eventually learn what we eventually learn as well: To follow Jesus is not about desiring greatness at all. Following Jesus is most visible and most attractive to those who need Jesus most when we do this one thing, serve others.
The next time either of us has a talk with Jesus, I think it would be best if we just admit what we were talking about on the road. He likely knows, and I expect our conversation with him in prayer will help us clarify our priorities and our attitudes about our roles and responsibilities.
Lord, again we realize how easily we drift to wanting to be first in line. Forgive us for our obsessions about our roles, our titles, and our selfishness. Continue to transform our hearts and minds so that we might take a step closer to you by laying down our lives for someone near us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Mark 9:33-37; 10:28-39, 41-45 NLT
Photo by Dmitriy Zub at www.pexels.com
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