Reflecting on Mark's Gospel - Mark 9:33-37

It is hardly surprising that the disciples did not want to describe their conversation to Jesus. Their discussions offer a stark contrast with the example that Jesus has been setting. We are left wondering how this question could even have been raised. Could they have so missed the ethos that Jesus promoted? Why would any of them claim to be the greatest? So, Jesus’ inquiry as to what they have been talking about meets with silence.

However, even though they choose not to explain, Jesus takes the opportunity to reinforce the way that he has tried to establish. He points out that being first, which is how the greatest might well be defined, is about giving way to others. True greatness comes in being last and in taking the servant role. As a very specific example, he takes a child. Especially in those days, a child would have no status. But Jesus sees things differently. Those commonly regarded as unimportant actually matter a great deal, and even take on a role as God’s representative. How we treat the likes of these is an indication of who we are and how we are responding to God. This is one expression of the famous saying about how we treat the hungry, thirsty etc. as being equivalent to how we treat God (Matthew 25:35ff.).

It is particularly strange that this conversation appears to have followed from one of Jesus’ attempts to explain to the disciples something of the essence and challenge of his mission. As Douglas Hare (Mark) comments – “instead of pondering among themselves why God would allow the Messiah to suffer and die, the disciples quarrel about rank and status.” I wonder what we really think about these questions of who is important and how greatness is seen and recognised.

The disciples have a lot to learn. As Hare puts it – “The quest for rank and status is fired by the desire for power over others and by the deep-seated human need to be somebody special. Jesus announces that in God’s kingdom there will be no place for domination over other people, and the desire to be somebody special will be fully satisfied when all treat others as special.” This is not about nobody being special; it is about everybody being special.