Jeremiah 11:18-20; James 3:13-4:10; Mark 9:30-37

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

It’s very common for us to engage in the regular game of 1-upmanship. We have this tendency to always have to prove that we are better than the next guy. For example, if he says he can finish his homework in an hour, then I’ll say I finished in a half-hour. If he says he can lift one hundred pounds, then I’ll say I can lift two hundred pounds! We do this so often because we naturally desire to show our status as the “best”.

Yet, it’s this very desire to be first, to be the best that has also led people to do some horrible things. Athletes have taken drugs to try to boost their performance. Others have sought to hinder or destroy their competition just so they can take the podium. Companies have squashed competition through underhanded deals and practices. Countries have even gone to war for such egos. 

In the Gospel reading this week, we find the disciples on this similar topic. They are playing this game of 1-upmanship. But then, Jesus comes and starts teaching them about his own suffering and death. He tells them how he will serve them with his life. Then he asks them this question, “What were you discussing on the way?” Mark 9:33. For before we ever start discussing greatness and who’s better, we should look first to our Lord. 

This is where the disciples look silly. They’ve been caught red-handed in their pride and ego, like many of us are as well. The way we and the world often view greatness is a windy road that often leads to our eventual destruction. Many people have sought to reach the top, only to realize how many bridges they burned on the climb up. Greatness in our world’s standards will always lead to our eventual destruction. If we’re the greatest, someone will seek to outdo us, or worse, harm us in their own pursuit.

Jesus changes all of this when we look to him first. He’s not clawing his way to the top. He’s not pushing others out of his way. He’s not demanding recognition for all of his success. No, Jesus goes in the opposite direction. He’s digging to the bottom. He’s seeking to join you and me. As Jesus says, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all,” Mark 9:35. That’s exactly what Jesus shows us. He’s not the greatest because he beats everyone else. He’s the greatest one because he’s God… yet, he serves us as the lowest slave of all. Jesus goes to the cross for us. He offers up his life on behalf of ours. He doesn’t seek to push anyone out of the way, but rather, as Jesus is exalted for his righteousness, he grabs onto you and me so that we may join him in his exaltation! The greatness of God is nothing else but the cross, which is the salvation of the whole world! May we then be like Jesus, serving one another that we may lift one another up, and be lifted up by God! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, whose strength is made perfect in weakness, grant us humility and childlike faith that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!