When we think of successful people, people who have accomplished their specific goals, we don’t usually think of or include those who died as a result of trying to achieve their goals. We also think of those who are on top, those who are top achievers, the “go-getters”, those who seek to be number one. We don’t typically think of the fellow with the lowest position as being too successful. This is the world’s view, but how about Jesus’ view? Our Scripture today from the Gospel of Mark gives us a different picture of success, one from God’s view rather than the world’s.
As we open our Scripture passage today Jesus had just come down from the mountain top where He had been transfigured, and then He had cast the demon out of a man’s son. He and His disciples now headed out of that village, and along the way Jesus spoke again about His approaching betrayal and death (vs. 30-32). This is something that He had spoken with them about before, including the time that Peter had tried to dissuade Him from this path. Yet this time, like the others, Jesus’ words did not seem to be comprehended by the disciples. They not only did not understand, they seemed to not remember these words, as they all seemed taken by surprise when Jesus was arrested and crucified, and did not seem to remember anything about His promise of rising again from the dead.
Mark records that Jesus spoke about His betrayal into the hands of His enemies, His execution, and then His resurrection on the third day. As the twelve heard this, we read that they were afraid to ask Him exactly what He meant. Why would they be afraid? Did they feel that they should understand everything by now? Were they afraid that if they spoke further about Jesus being crucified, that it might mean that it definitely would happen? Sometimes some people feel that if they don’t talk about something, it just doesn’t exist. For example some people won’t talk about, or even acknowledge a negative medical report, that if they just ignore it, it will go away. So maybe if they don’t talk about Jesus’ crucifixion, it won’t happen. In addition, sometimes we don’t ask questions if we really don’t want to know the answers that will be given.
As Jesus and His disciples continued to walk, they came back to Capernaum, the village where He frequently visited and taught. Once there, Jesus asked the disciples what they had been talking, and even arguing about (vs. 33). Again, they kept quiet and didn’t answer, as they were probably embarrassed and ashamed of what they had argued among each other about. The twelve, having been together for a couple of years, had gotten into an argument as to which of them was the greatest among the others (vs. 34). Was it Peter, the first one to openly acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God? Was it either James or John, who along with Peter, were part of the inner group of three, closest to Jesus? Was it Simon, who was nicknamed the zealous one, or Matthew, possibly the one who had the greatest change in his life, turning away from a life of corruption?
Jesus proceeded to settle that argument by saying the greatest one is actually the one who has genuine humility and acts as a servant to the others, not the one wanting to be served (vs. 35). One sign of humility and having an attitude that isn’t so wrapped in pride is welcoming children, and treating them with love, interest, and concern. Jesus took a little child and put him in their midst, saying that if they receive a child in His Name, they receive Him (vs. 36-37).
What Jesus taught about greatness is the exact opposite of what the world thinks. He taught that to be great we need to become a servant to others. Jesus, the Lord of all, gave us an example to follow when He washed the disciples feet (John 13:1-17). Can you picture the heads of multi-billion dollar corporations getting on their knees and washing the feet of the janitors and cafeteria ladies?! Humility is essential for leaders and all followers of Jesus Christ.
We also look at leaders having successfully achieved their goals, yet as we look at Jesus, we see Him being taken by His enemies and executed on the cross. The world would not call that successful, they would call that losing. However, what happened on the third day?? Jesus rose triumphantly from the dead!! Jesus has power over death. He has conquered death, and He could fulfill His own resurrection prophecies. Contrary to what the world would say, that is success! Jesus gave, in this Scripture, the picture of a successful man or woman in God’s Kingdom.
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