Greatness Looks Different - Mark 9: 30-41
Scripture Reading
Mark 9: 30-41 (ESV)
Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection
30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
Who Is the Greatest?
33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 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.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.
Reflection:
Jesus has just told His disciples that He will be betrayed, killed, and raised again. But while Jesus is talking about sacrifice, the disciples are arguing about status—who among them is the greatest.
That contrast should get the attention of anyone in ministry.
It is surprisingly easy for serving Jesus to become tangled up with being noticed. Who gets the solo? Who gets asked to lead? Whose idea gets used? Who has the most influence? Who gets thanked?
Jesus turns their thinking upside down: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
In the kingdom of God, greatness looks different. It looks like serving when no one notices. It looks like celebrating someone else. It looks like doing what needs to be done without needing credit.
The goal of worship ministry is never to become important. It is to make Jesus important.
Personal Questions:
- Where do I find myself wanting recognition or affirmation?
- How do I respond when someone else receives an opportunity I wanted?
- Am I willing to serve Jesus just as faithfully when no one notices?
Team Questions:
- How can comparison or competition quietly creep into a worship team?
- What does servant leadership look like onstage and behind the scenes?
- How can we become better at celebrating each other instead of competing with each other?
Prayer:
Jesus, reshape my understanding of greatness. Forgive me for the times I have wanted recognition more than I wanted to serve. Teach me to take the lower place, celebrate others, and serve faithfully whether anyone notices or not. Make my heart more like Yours. Amen.