When Jesus’ disciples argued about who was greatest, Jesus set a new standard. Greatness, he said, was measured by service.
Here’s a transcript:
I’m thinking about the ninth chapter of Mark’s Gospel (Mark 9:30-37). In it, Jesus told his disciples that the Son of Man must be arrested, must be executed, and would then rise again after three days. His disciples didn’t understand what he was talking about.
Jesus asked them what they were talking about along the way, and they didn’t want to tell him. They had apparently been arguing about which one of them was the greatest. Jesus said, if you want to be first, then you have to be last. You have to be the servant of everyone.
If you were looking for a religion that will support your efforts to attain fame and wealth, Christianity is the wrong one. I say that knowing full well that there have been many, many who have claimed Christianity as their faith and have gone on to strive for fame and wealth and power. They’ve achieved them, but I think they’ve achieved them despite their Christianity, and certainly not because of it.
The “Prosperity Gospel,” in my view, is a rank heresy and a betrayal of what Jesus stood for.
Jesus specifically told his disciples that what we are about is service and aid and comfort and guidance and help. We are not about trampling others on the way to the top. I would argue that those who have attained fame claiming the name of Christian have achieved notoriety, rather than fame.
It’s not a popular opinion.
in the end, Jesus said the ones whom God notices are those who serve, those who support, those who help. If you would be Christ’s disciple, continue to dream of fame, if you like. But let your work be oriented towards those around you — and those far away — those who need your support, who can benefit from your guidance, who can lean upon you as you journey together through life.
That’s what I’m thinking. I’m curious to hear what you’re thinking. Leave me your thoughts in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you.
