The Way to the Top

Jeremiah 45:1-5; Mark 9:33-37 / Psalm 139:1-12

I. Who Is the Greatest?

A. Jesus caught the disciples squabbling; disciples must expect to be called to account for their behavior and their progress in their gospel lessons. “And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?” (Mark 9:33)

B. The disciples were being childish; there is no mature way to raise some questions. “But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.” (Mark 9:34)

C. Self-centered pride makes people look bad; it reverses the graces of the soul, turning love into envy, humility into pride, and generosity into selfishness.“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” (Proverbs 13:10) “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)

D. Christian courtesy encourages a climate of modesty. “But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 14:10-11)

E. King Jesus is not like the rulers of the world and His kingdom does not follow the world’s patterns. “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

II. The Bible Reveals a Career Path to the Top

A. Jesus was honestly answering the question being proposed; there is a path to the top: Start at the bottom and do what is being left undone. “And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

B. Jesus illustrated the doctrine of advancement magnificently at the Last Supper. “And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.” (John 13:2-5)

C. The Lord of Grace took one final opportunity to do the least attractive job available before going out into the night and on to the cross. “So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:12-15)

D. Disciples must never forget their station in the community of grace. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” (John 13:16)

III. Get the Question Right

A. Great writers and teachers create pictures in the mind; Jesus did this with a child. “And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,” (Mark 9:36)

B. A little child has nothing to offer but need and simple confidence that the need will be met; Jesus demands that the church focus its work at this level. “Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.” (Mark 9:37) “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27)

C. Instead of asking, “Who is the greatest?”, people qualified to lead the church ask, “Who will hold the wet, hungry, and tearful baby?” “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.” (Matthew 18:3-5