In our society and culture, so much time and energy is spent on striving for greatness. The idea of greatness is elevated and rewarded. Greatness becomes an ideal and a supreme goal as if nothing else matters. It can become an idol. From athletics to artistic endeavors, and from business to beauty … there seems to be a multi-leveled pursuit by millions in striving to be the greatest. While giving effort and diligence to being excellent at our pursuits in life is not wrong, being consumed by being the greatest, can cause issues and problems along the way with those around us and leave us somewhat hollow in our authentic personhood. Why is it so deep in all of us, this pursuit of greatness? This drive to be the greatest has always been part of our human identity since the fall in the Garden of Eden. Pride, in the things we do, is not wrong but it can also make us susceptible to being corrupted by the pursuit of greatness. We must be aware and guard ourselves against being consumed with what we pursue, listening to the truth coming from our Savior.
Even the disciples of Jesus strove to be the greatest and spent time debating, on who amongst their little group was indeed the greatest, while they were at the same time being corrupted by their striving. Jesus stops their self-centered aggrandizement, by completely demolishing their striving to be the greatest disciple … by elevating service to others, as the value and goal, which they should pursue with all their hearts. He adds a bit more, to emphasize his point, by giving them the pure example of a child. A child in their innocence is mainly concerned with loving others and they are genuinely most thankful for the people around them. Their striving is to love more and serve more; not to be more. True followers of Christ should become like little children, loving simply and fully, with unguarded service and devotion; ever overflowing with thankfulness in their relationship with God and those around them.
And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (Mark 9:35-37 ESV)
Connecting with Christ Bible Reading Plan – Mark 9
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