“But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” — Mark 9:33-35
One insight—one bold, out-of-the-box idea—can change the world. Jesus was the ultimate disruptive innovator. Long before the world celebrated visionaries, He redefined greatness in a way that still challenges us today.
At the core of human ambition lies a simple, timeless question: Who is the greatest? The disciples were debating it 2,000 years ago, but let’s be honest—it has probably been argued since the beginning of time. I can almost imagine Adam bragging to Eve that he was the greatest golfer on Earth. And Eve, without missing a beat, reminding him that he was also the worst golfer on Earth.
The debate rages on: Who is the GOAT—Michael Jordan or LeBron James? Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes? Greatness is a conversation we never seem to outgrow.
Jesus, however, doesn’t ignore the question. Instead, He flips it upside down. In what might be history’s most radical teaching, He declares: If you want to be first, you must be last. The greatest is the servant of all. Think about how this message must have resonated with the overlooked, the struggling, the ones who never felt like they could measure up. What a relief! What a revolutionary idea! Jesus’ words shattered the exhausting pursuit of being “the best” and instead offered a new vision—one where humility, service, and love define true greatness.
Before Socrates made the Socratic method famous (he lived from 470–399 BCE), Jesus was already using questions to provoke thought and transform minds. His teaching wasn’t just philosophical—it was life-changing. It set hearts on fire and redefined human purpose.
So, what does greatness look like in your life? What principles guide your choices? Jesus invites us to rethink everything. The true path to greatness isn’t about being the best, it’s about being a servant.
I hope you’ll join us this Sunday at 10:30 AM, in person or online. Pastor Mark, the master communicator that he is, will be talking about this idea in such a way that it will set us free. It’s too good to miss.
Your friend for life,
Pastor Tim White