"A JOURNEY TOWARDS SIGNIFICANCE"

Personal Comments: 

“When He was in the house, He [Jesus] asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’  But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.  He sat down and called them around Him and said ...” (Mark 9:33-35) [NIV] 
     

What drives you to be on top, to be number one, to be the greatest?  When I was a kid, we played a game back behind our modest adobe house where there was a high piece of ground. The game was called "King-of –The-Hill". Ever played it? It's where you try to knock everyone off until you're the last one standing on top of the hill. The problem is, the game is never over because everyone who isn't on top does everything in their power to knock off the next "King". This seems to be common in our nature. I don't know of anyone who is immune to this “game” in life.  Are you?  Have you ever gotten "knocked off" at work by some over-ambitious person who thought you were in the way?
     

Maybe, like me, you've been one “knocking down” others. A perfect example of this is the office Christmas party. Just go to observe at one this year. Watch to see who's “king of the hill” and what people do to each other to get a chance at being higher on the hill. People are a fun study if we can pull ourselves away from the struggle long enough to watch it! Here in America, we have “King-Of-The-Hill” down to a science. Not too long ago, Michael Vick, the quarter back for the Philadelphia Eagles, was proclaimed a "hero".  On July 18, 2007, a Federal Grand Jury in Richmond indicted him and three other men on charges related to their alleged operation of a dogfighting ring based at a property owned by Vick.
     

So why is he considered a hero? Did he run into a burning building to save an old woman? Did he give some of his fortune to research a cure for AIDS?  No! He was a hero because he was “King-of-The-Hill” in football. Each of us has some “hill” we want to be king of.  Just how far will we go to be first, the best? There's nothing wrong with us having ambition, but it's very dangerous when ambition has us!
    

The disciples had ambition, too. The Bible records 3 years of their living together with Jesus. During that time, the Gospels record only one subject they argued about. You guessed it: Who will be “King-Of-The-Hill” amongst them? Jesus had a way of turning things around for them and he often did so with the disciples. This time, was different though.  First, He embarrassed them by asking about the argument they were having over who would take His place. Then, He flipped the whole subject upside down by telling them: “... ‘Anyone wanting to be the greatest must be the least – the servant of all!’”

Biblical Comments:

Jesus and the disciples had arrived in Capernaum. The disciples had kept somewhat to themselves as they followed Jesus along the road, but Jesus knew they were having a heated discussion. They had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. Jesus already knew what the disciples had been discussing; even though He had asked the question, they didn’t answer him. But he then gave them an unforgettable lesson in true greatness.  Jesus had his work cut out for him in teaching these disciples who would be responsible to carry on his mission. So he sat down and called the disciples to sit at his feet. In only one sentence, he taught the essence of true greatness: “Anyone who wants to be the first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else” (see 10:45). Greatness is determined by servanthood. The true leader willingly serves, just as Jesus exemplified in his life and in his death. Being a “servant” didn’t mean occupying a servile position; rather it meant having an attitude that freely attends to others’ needs without expecting or demanding anything in return. Seeking honor, respect, and the attention of others is contrary to Jesus’ requirement for his servants. An attitude of service brings true greatness in God’s Kingdom.  Jesus didn't mind the disciples' ambition, He just wanted to change the nature of the struggle. He didn't want them  knocking each other off. He wanted them to lift each other up; to replace power, influence, wealth and celebrity with submission, cooperation, generosity and transparency. He did it by injecting one word into the "formula for success": servant. But, like all true leaders, He did more than just say it, He lived it! Paul tells us to be like Jesus, “... who being God, took on the nature of a servant, allowing Himself to be killed so that we could be served salvation.” (Philip. 2). In Jesus' kingdom, leadership and greatness aren't measured by how many people serve us, but by how many we serve.

Biblical Comments Excerpted from “Life Application Commentary

Application:

1. Would you consider yourself a servant? Why?
2. How could the disciples lapse into an argument about personal greatness at such an important time in their lives and with such an important person in their midst?
3. Share an example from home, work, church, LIFE Group and recreation where your “servant meter” can go up a notch.
4. Describe a time where God humbled you to silence.
5. Are you ready to truly be a servant, wherever He sends you? What would it take to make it so? If not, what needs to change?

"Ruins of Peter's house in Capernaum" Photo taken by Pastor Ruben