A synopsis of the sermon delivered by the Rev. David L. Hicks at St. Paul’s Reformed Episcopal Church on Trinity XVIII, October 10, 2004. Please read St. Mark 10:35-45.
Do you want to be great in the kingdom of God? If so, this is a worthy goal. People generally like to achieve greatness in any endeavor, but the Christian should especially desire greatness in living his or her life before God. But how does a person achieve greatness in matters of faith? Our lesson from Mark’s Gospel addresses this question.
The sons of Zebedee, James and John, were disciples of Jesus. They came to him one day with a request: “Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory” (Mk. 10:37). Jesus does not rebuke these two disciples for desiring to be great, but he does ask whether or not they understand that greatness comes to those who identify themselves with him and are willing to suffer with him. When the rest of the disciples become angry with James and John for their seemingly inappropriate request, Jesus takes this as an opportunity to teach everyone about the nature of greatness in the kingdom of God. “Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all” (Mk. 10:42-44). Jesus tells us that God’s kingdom operates in a different way from the world’s kingdom. Our human experience tells us that those who are in positions of authority and power enjoy being dominant over other people and having others as servants. In contrast, Jesus tells us that servanthood and humility characterize the leadership of those who would be great in God’s eyes. This is a difficult concept for us to grasp, for everything that we learn in this world teaches us to believe that humility and service are descriptive of those of an inferior status. The landlord is more important than the caretaker, the president of the corporation is more important than custodian, and so on. Yet, Jesus insists that God does not see things in this fashion. Those who would achieve greatness do so by taking a lower role, by becoming the servant of all.
This way of thinking should not surprise us. It is the same attitude portrayed by our Lord Jesus Christ in his earthly ministry. He who is Lord of all became the servant of all. As he said of himself – “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:45). Who is greater in God’s kingdom that Jesus Christ himself? Yet, he who is the greatest in power is also the greatest in his example of humility and service to others. Do you still want to be great in God’s kingdom? It is still a worthy goal – a goal to which everyone should aspire. But we must remember that God’s definition of greatness sharply differs from what we see in human society. Greatness in the church is not to be measured by human perceptions of status and importance. To share in Christ’s glory, is to share in his life of serving and giving. It is to become the servant of all.
Amen.
