Tuesday 21 February
Mark 9:30-37
What drives us? For many it is a craving for fame, fortune, power, money, recognition and status. The desire for high levels of competence and expertise in a given field is a good one – but the desire to be considered greater than our fellow human beings is arrogant and destructive. John Lennon boasted at the height of his fame that he was more famous than Jesus. The band Oasis made a similar claim, but pointed out that in fact they were greater and more famous than the Beatles!
The desire to be greater, bigger, better rears its ugly head early in our development. And even the disciples were not immune from this very human weakness. The contrast is striking: Jesus taught the disciples of his impending death while they were more concerned with who among them was the greatest. The effect of such a discussion was division, faction and arguments. It is clear that when this motivation was brought into the light it produced shame and embarrassment.
Jesus in his teaching turned greatness on its head. To be great in his kingdom one needs to be at the bottom of the pecking order; one needs to develop the disposition of a servant or a slave, or a child. Children were badly treated in first-century Palestine – they had no rights or protection from the law. They could be bought and sold as slaves or bond servants. How repelled we are by the thought of being last, least or weak. It is good to identify such reactions because they allow us to understand how Jesus’ teaching kicks against our nature. We need the grace and empowerment of God’s Holy Spirit to heal the insecurity within us which needs the oxygen of affirmation in order to feel secure and safe. As children of God we are profoundly loved and cared for by our heavenly Father: he has no favourites, no one he prefers. When he is considering who among his children are the greatest, his thoughts go to those who are willing to put themselves last and are willing to serve! Lent is a good time for us to be reminded of our mortality and of our frail and weak nature which is easily inclined to sin and darkness.
Lord, have mercy upon me, a sinner. Remind me of your greatness and majesty so that I may kneel before you, humble and clear about how you must increase and I must decrease.
James 4:1-10 • Psalm 54(55):7-11, 23
Mark 9:30-37
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