What Is True Greatness?

KEY VERSE: “Even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” —Mark 10:45

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Mark 9:33-37; 10:35-45

IN EACH OF the above scriptural selections our attention is drawn to the importance of humility. The spirit of rivalry and selfishness should not be condoned. It must be overcome by all who are of the household of faith.

In the first selection Jesus asked his disciples what it was that they had been disputing about while on their way to Capernaum. (Mark 9:33) Perhaps it was because they wished to show no disrespect toward their Master that they “held their peace,” as well as to hide their embarrassment of having disputed among themselves as to which one of them would be the greatest in the kingdom of God.—Mark 9:34

Jesus proceeded to teach them an important lesson, “And he sat down and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” (vs. 35) Then he took a small child in his arms, and told his disciples to turn away from this self-seeking spirit of rivalry and become as little children themselves. The meaningful traits of a small child are love, trust, obedience, and teachableness. The lesson for the Christian is that they must humble themselves even as children, and to emulate these important characteristics.

The second selection of scripture reading concerns the two sons of Zebedee—James and John—who approached Jesus with a special request. “They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.” (Mark 10:37) His direct answer to the two brothers reveals what it means to seek joint-heirship with our Lord in his kingdom. “Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”—vs. 38

Our Lord wanted his disciples to grasp the significance of the special cup which the Heavenly Father had given him to drink of. It was a cup of self-denial, and a baptism unto death. Those who would participate with him in his kingdom must also share with him in the sufferings of the present time. He assured them that they would take part with him in the experiences of this life, but that he did not have the authority to place certain friends in positions of glory. He said, “To sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.” (vs. 40) Peter learned this lesson well and said, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”—I Pet. 5:6

Jesus did not have one standard for his followers and another for himself. He became a man not only to redeem his disciples, but to be a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. He explained to them, “Even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”—Mark 10:45

He humbly and voluntarily laid down his life for others, and his followers are admonished to do likewise. “Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”—Luke 14:11

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