“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.'” Mark 9:35 (NIV)
Our culture thrives on being the best at whatever you do. Reality television shows have magnified the surge of cynicism and critical evaluation. You’re too tall or you’re too short or your vocal pitch is too high or too low. Everyone is striving to win. Everyone is clamoring for the top spot. In our culture, being “first” is the epitome of success.
Jesus redefines success. To be first you must be last. Being at the top is all about being at the bottom. Instead of being first, success is about letting others be first. It is putting others before yourself. The portrait of success that Jesus paints is that of being selfless. The way of Jesus is counter-culture. The current of the Christ-centered life goes against the flow of culture.
Descending into greatness requires placing the needs of others before your own. Jesus was willing to serve His disciples by washing their feet and ultimately washing their sins away through His shed blood upon the cross. Are you willing to serve others? Are you willing to put others first? That does not come naturally. It requires being fully surrendered to the Spirit’s control in your life.
Do you qualify as “servant of all” in your sphere of influence? Look to Jesus! He is the model to follow!
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor