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THE FIRST MUST BE THE LAST (TRUE GREATNESS) (MARK 9:33-37)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection today is “The first must be the last.” Undeniably, a human being’s top inclination or instinct is to first, feel important, and great and gain superiority over others and have people kowtow to him or her. The majority of the world’s conflicts; civil or ethnic wars, and political and racial unrest can all be attributed to the fight for superiority or greatness. When you hear a phrase like ‘world superpowers’ which refers to the so-called powerful countries on earth, it all boils down to the same notion of greatness and fight for greatness. Indeed, it feels good to be counted as the first and great among equals but what then is true greatness according to the teaching of Christ?

We are told the disciples of Christ “had argued with one another about who was the greatest” (Mark 9:34). Jesus realised that their understanding of greatness and service was grossly misconceived. The world’s understanding of greatness is that, “if anyone would be great or first, he or she must be rich, powerful, have many followers and political affiliations and must have at his or her beck and call servants or sycophants who will kowtow to his or her demands or orders” However, Jesus’ definition of greatness which He perfectly exemplifies by washing of the feet of the disciples in John 13:5 is that “If anyone would be first, he(or she) must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35). Imagine a world where a Christian boss opens the gate for his subordinate to walk through. Imagine a world where a Christian who occupies a top executive position, elects to be the one serving his or her subordinates at table during lunch.Imagine a world where a Christian who occupies a top executive position, elects to serve his or her subordinates at the table during lunch. Imagine a world where affluent and highly educated Christians understand that cleaning and joining others for communal labour in the community or church premise is part of what makes them great before God.

Beloved in the Lord, to remain great or to be counted as first according to importance, we must be willing to serve everyone, no matter our level of education and position in life. Being first and great means serving and coming down to the level of the lowest person in society; that is why Jesus made the illustration that “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (Mark 9:37) The child is used metaphorically to refer to the lowest of status in society. In other words, we become great according to the standard set by Christ if we serve and associate with the category of people the world classifies as nonentities. True greatness is what Paul described about Jesus to the Philippians when he wrote, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:3-9).

Beloved in the Lord, be an example of true greatness by serving anyone God brings your way regardless of the person’s social and economic background. Remember Jesus said that on the judgement day, “they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:44-46). My dear friend, it is imperative for us Christians to live a life of true greatness through humility and service to always please the Lord. Shalom.

PRAYER

ALMIGHTY GOD, TAKE AWAY MY PRIDE AND STRENGTHEN ME TO LIVE A LIFE OF HUMILITY AND SERVICE SO THAT I MAY ACHIEVE TRUE GREATNESS THROUGH OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. AMEN.