[Jesus] asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for… they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.
Mark 9:33-34
When Jesus asks the disciples about their argument, they are embarrassed. Trying to impress others with how great we are really is foolish.
The timing of this argument is significant. Jesus has just taken Peter, James, and John up the mountain. How do you think the other nine felt? “Why are they in the inner circle and I’m not?”
When someone else is given a privilege that is not given to you, you will find a great impulse to criticise that person. A large part of our criticism of others flows from pride.
Pride shows up in two ways: either as jealousy over what has been given to others and not to you, or as superiority over what has been given to you and not to others. Peter, James, and John had seen the unveiled glory of the Lord. But the greatest danger in spiritual experience is spiritual pride.
Jesus uses the opportunity to teach His disciples about humility: “Whoever would be first among you must be slave of all” (10:44).
Jesus did not object to the disciples seeking greatness. He says, “You want to make your life count, and you should. Here’s how: You must be the servant of all.”
If you think that greatness is established by proving you are better than others, you will be driven by a relentless desire to be first. You will spend your life trampling on others. You will destroy yourself, and when you enter the presence of God, the angels will send you to the back of the line. You cannot achieve true greatness by trying to be the best.
Consider the two ways pride shows up: jealousy and superiority. Where have you seen evidence of these in your own life?
