After
they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples,
"What were you discussing out on the road?" But they didn't answer,
because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat
down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, "Whoever wants to
be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else." Mark 9:33-35
Who is the best?
Who is the greatest?
About
that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is greatest in the
Kingdom of Heaven?" Matthew
18:1
Then
his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. Luke 9:46
Meditate
on the thought of greatness.
Do
the disciples seem a little egotistical? Sort of like second graders…I’m better
than you! Wait…isn’t that what different denominations do today? Do you subconsciously
set a tribal hierarchy similar to a caste system within any group you are in? It
seems to me that is just what the disciples were doing, and it upset some of
them. They were arguing—verbally fighting. They’d left their families, homes,
and jobs to be with Jesus—and now they just wanted to be recognized within
their group as the best. The best of the best? What was Jesus’ response? "Whoever
wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone
else." First last. Jesus was the ultimate example of being a servant.
Remember that He actually washes the feet of His disciples at their last meal
together. That is a servant’s job. Jesus did it willingly and without complaining.
God’s plan was for Jesus to be a servant to those around and after Him.
When God raised up his servant,
Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each
of you back from your sinful ways." Acts 3:26
Paul gave
Timothy some wise advice about being a servant and not quarreling.
Again I say, don't get involved in
foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must
not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with
difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will
change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will
come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held
captive by him to do whatever he wants. 2 Timothy 2:23-26
The
disciples needed that lesson from Paul. No quarreling. Don’t get involved in
foolish, ignorant arguments. Do you need that advice from Paul?
What do we learn about Jesus from these
Scripture passages?
Prayer
– Lord Jesus, You’ve been such a great example to all those who follow You—well,
actually to all mankind, if we would just listen, observe, and obey. Help me to
see those around me through Your eyes…and please give me the wisdom and grace
to be a servant…like You. Thank You.
Verses
of Salvation ~ The LORD is my light and my salvation--so why should I be
afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I
tremble? ... Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper. Don't leave me now; don't abandon me, O God of
my salvation! Psalm
27:1, 9
© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
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