Introduction

In the Gospel of Mark, we see the disciples of Jesus competing with one another over who’s the greatest for a total of three times.

The real problem was that they followed the world’s definition of greatness. Jesus turns this definition of greatness upside down. And He shows us what true greatness is, not in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God.

Greatness is not about performing better than others, but about our willingness to lift others up (v.32-34)

The disciples at this point still reject the idea of a suffering Messiah. They wanted Jesus as a political Messiah who would overturn the Roman regime and usher in a new age of Jewish sovereignty.

Mark says that they’re afraid. They’re afraid because of the battle that lies ahead. That it might not go their way. That they and their Messiah wouldn’t overcome the competition.

When our idea of greatness is based on comparison, fear becomes a constant companion. Fear of mediocrity. Of being average. Of not standing out. Then our struggle and fear will never end.

This isn’t the first time or even the second time He’s telling them of His death. But this time, He gets into the details.

The Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests, He will be condemned, and delivered over to the Gentiles. He will be mocked, spat on, flogged, and killed. It’s a list of sufferings He’s going to go through.

Why? Because His suffering will bring us healing. His death will bring us life. His humiliation will exalt us from our sinful estate, and into glory.

Greatness isn’t about comparing our talents and abilities with others. It’s about our willingness to lift people up. That is what it means to be truly great.

Greatness is not about having a higher position than others, but how we use our position to benefit others (v.35-40)

James and John wanted the best ones, the highest positions among the twelve disciples, right beside Jesus.

Matthew 27:55-56 says that the mother of the sons of Zebedee was at the foot of the cross. John 19:25 identifies her as the sister of Jesus’ mother. So they even used their family ties as leverage for a better position.

The world is a world of positions: social class, skin color, country of origin, who our parents are, how we perform. And the world promotes to us the joys of winning the rat race, of climbing the ladder into a higher position and a higher status. That’s how the world defines greatness.

How does Jesus respond? Again, He talks about His suffering (v38-40). Jesus compares his impending suffering and death to drinking a cup and being baptized. In the Old Testament, drinking a cup with someone symbolized sharing in that person’s suffering (Ezek. 23:31). On the other hand, the baptism Jesus refers to isn’t the baptism we do in church, but a metaphor of being physically submerged and overwhelmed by God’s judgement (Ps. 42:7; 69:1-2).

What happened at the Garden of Gethsemane when the soldiers came for Jesus? Were they able to drink the cup of suffering? Mark 14:50 says “They all left Him and fled.”

Jesus the Son of God had the highest position and the highest authority. He used His authority to be born as a human, take our sins upon Himself, and die in our place.

John 10:18 ESV No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

True greatness isn’t about having a higher position than others, but about using our position to benefit others.

Greatness is not about imposing our will upon others, but doing the will of God (v.41-45)

Jesus talks about two ways in which people exercise their authority. There’s the way of the world, and the heavenly way (v41-45) :

The Gentiles lord their authority over others, and their great ones exercise authority over them. They impose their will upon those under them.

And in contrast to the way of the world, Jesus says “it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.” Slaves only seek do the will of their master.

God is the almighty, all-loving, and all-knowing Creator God who brought us into existence and loves us enough to send His only Son to die for our salvation. God deserves our absolute obedience, for Isaiah 55:8-9 says that His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

So greatness isn’t about imposing our will on others, but doing the will of God almighty. And we see this in Jesus’ example, who obeyed the Father’s will, even unto death (Mark 14:36).

Conclusion: Let us walk the path of greatness

Several years after the incidents in Mark’s Gospel, the two brothers dedicated their lives to serve the church, in obedience to the Father’s will and walked the path of suffering through martyrdom and exile. They no longer pursued the greatness of the world, but greatness according to God’s definition, as seen in Jesus Christ.

Let us no longer pursue greatness as the world sees it. Rather, as a church, let us pursue the greatness of Jesus Christ and fulfill His mission to reconcile the world to God.

As we saw in Mark 10:33-34, after listing the seven sufferings, Jesus concludes the list with this: “After three days He will rise.” (Mark 10:34). Because Jesus walked the path of greatness, that last line is now attached to the bottom of all of our lists.

This is the omniscient all-knowing God who knows the sufferings we go through each day. And He knows it in specific detail. He knows our list. He knows the struggles and hardships we go through each day, week in and week out, and He knows it intimately.

Let us walk the path of true greatness, with determination, knowing that at the end of this path, we will rise.

AMEN.