In this world of dreams of wealth, power and fame, what is absolutely irreplaceable for the disciples of Jesus in terms of substance and attitude are self-denial and radical altruism (Mark 10:35-45).
The old worldly way
There was pushing and pulling going on among the followers of Jesus, competition and self-ambition as to who was the greatest among them (Mark 9:30-37). The brothers James and John thought it wise or were prodded to make a move to insure their personal future. Siding up to Jesus and with a touch of disarming simplicity, they told Him: “We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” To be elected and chosen for the top, to get closest to the boss: to be seated one at the right side and the other at the left side of Jesus in the glory of His kingdom—that was the idea. Jesus has been talking about the kingdom of God and their minds were filled with ideas about it. And although Jesus once again has mentioned to them what awaited Him at the end of their journey to Jerusalem, their minds were filled with other things.
The other 10 disciples were indignant when they figured out what the two brothers were up to. Trying to pull a fast one on them? Still the old quarrel, who sits at the top over the others. As Jesus told the two brothers, “You do not know what you are asking,” He once more tried to open the eyes of all of them what it means to be with Him and to follow Him. Being close to Him is not about regal power and prestige. In His kingship His close-in friends drink the cup and are baptized as He does. These biblical symbols refer to His approaching passion and death for the salvation of the world (Mark 14:36; Luke 12:50).
Greatness in service
Those who believe and follow Jesus must go the way of the cross with Him; His disciples must take up their cross and follow Him. James and John unhesitatingly professed their readiness to do so. Indeed they have left everything for Him, but not quite. Like the rich man who wanted to know from Jesus what more must he do to obtain eternal life, there is still something lacking for the disciples to be really one with Jesus: they need to be divested still of their worldly ambitions. Chosen to lead others to the kingdom of God, they must lead as servants. Lording it over others is not to be their way; the structure of power and domination in the world—“It shall not be so among you!” Among His followers and forerunners of God’s reign, greatness is sought in service: “Whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.”
The ultimate norm for His disciples is Jesus Himself. He “did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as ransom for many.” Greatness for real Christians is diakonia—service. It is the willingness to be the last like a child (Matthew 9:33-36) for the sake of others, to empty oneself that others may be filled. Clearly, this way of life is in a head-on collision with the opportunism at the expense of others that saps the vitality of the nation. This Gospel ideal remains a chimera in our world of promises of service to the people but actualized within the parameters of me-first mentality, “self-service” in the original.
Alálaong bagá, contemplating the face of Jesus in the Gospel, we discover a very subversive figure. He invites us to overturn our own image of God. In Jesus, God has assumed the incarnate face of a “suffering servant.” a lover willing to be the last for the sake of the beloved; not a distant despot terrorizing his subjects, but a father who comes for the birthing of his children in love, a savior who empties himself that we may have life in full. But with such a God, humankind created in His image must need to change and be recreated accordingly. We have to be subversive too of the world’s power dynamics and overturn the program of power that feeds on the weaknesses and needs of the little ones instead of truly serving them.
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