Who is the Greatest?

"33 'What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?' 34 But they kept silent for on the road  they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, 'If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."        Mark 9:33-37.  NKJV 

Jesus had disclosed to the disciples that He would be betrayed and killed but that He would rise again on the third day. This had led to a discourse between them as they walked along the road, about who would be the greatest among them. The dispute must have reached an anger pitch Because Jesus noticed this and asked them about it when they sat down. However, none of them would admit what they had been arguing about. But Jesus knew.. He misses nothing, and we need to remember that.

As they sat there in silence, they were no doubt feeling very ashamed of themselves - Jesus had told them that He would die, the people would kill Him. Rather than asking Him about this and showing concern about what He was telling them, they wrestled about who would be the leader when Jesus had gone.

If the disciples competed against themselves for the top position, then it goes to show that we are no different. All through the years since, man has been in competition with each other within the church. When we look at situations today people are jealous about others having more attention than themselves, they squabble and every now and then, it gets so bad that a church splits and people go different ways. Bad feeling, disputes and mind games, where someone has thoughts in their head about what someone is doing or not doing. Gossip, judging and accusations. I have two questions. Where is the love? Is that a clanging cymbal that I hear?

'Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.'     1 Corinthians 13:1

Churches split when people compete against each other. When someone puts themselves on a pedestal and another tries to knock them off. Back-stabbing and quarrelling. The Apostle Paul had a few things to say about this:

'But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother?   
For we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ. For it is written, 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God.'
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore, let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in ours brother's way.    Romans 14:10-13

Jesus goes on to add a few more things while speaking with His disciples; things that we need to take on board as well. If anyone feels the call to be first then he must be the last. (Mark 9:35-37) In other words they must be prepared to be a servant. To serve people, not judge them. To love and uphold the Word of God so that there is unity not separation. The character of a leader is to serve first of all. As this is done confidence is built up and people will follow - as with a shepherd.

But one of the main things within the church, we must all learn, is to be childlike, not childish! God's business is too important to argue and act like children would in the school playground. We are called to be the elite. We need to remember this.

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com

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