Remember when we were young how important it was to be first in everything? First to the door, first to get a drink, first to get anything--it was all very important in at least my toddler mind. If I wasn't first, then I was at least going to be the first to throw a temper tantrum.
In Mark 9, we find a similar thing....except with adults. Mark 9:33-35 says, "They came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He 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. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”"
To some degree, the disciples were embarrassed that they were fighting about such a childish thing. They didn't respond when Jesus asked them why they were fighting. Yet Jesus--knowing all of our thoughts before we think them--knew what they were fighting about and responded saying that the last shall be first. All of a sudden, the disciples were left speechless. The last shall be first? The servant of all? Isn't that a lot of work?
Sadly, that's how a lot of us think. When we're doing some stinky job like changing the cat litter, we're not exactly singing praises to God for giving us cats. But why not? Why not humble ourselves? If we want to be first, then we need to humble ourselves and do the kind of jobs that servants would do. Jesus certainly gave perfect examples of that while He was here on earth. Can't we follow in His steps?
Kayla Joy
