Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?" But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."
Mark 9: 33-35
In today's society, it is unfortunate that, this particular piece of scripture couldn't fall on more un-comprehendible and deaf ears. Even the most disciplined of Christians find themselves lost in the transgressions that only our secular society condones, such being, "The first shall come first."
It is indeed an inevitable fact that as humans, and as Christians, even though we may do things in a servant's manner from time to time, we live in communities that reflect a selfgratification type attitude. Just like the disciples argued amongst themselves, we as Christians fight within ourselves as to what will raise us to a status of greatness. What about the possibility of a new job, or buying a new fancy sports car, will that be enough? Or even doing things for others as Christ compels us to do, but expecting some sort of materialistic compensation in return, whether it be monetary, or not.
To me this scripture is interpreted easily but, I fear, not always followed as Christ has originally intended. As Christians, just like the disciples, we need this scripture, just as they did, to be reminded by Jesus that First place, isn't the most important thing, and that being a servant most definitely is.
Lastly, if we can serve others without expectations of anything in return, not even a simple thank you, being true to ourselves and our neighbors as Christ intended, then there is one exception, and we can expect one thing, and I think we all know what that is.
John Knouse
