Whoever wants to be first

“and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” (Matthew 20:27)

 

This is an era of fierce competition. The whole world is in competing atmosphere, and especially Koreans live in a highly competitive society more than people of many other countries. Even most of Christian churches exist in competition depending on the atmosphere of the general society. Competition itself is not bad, but it will be a matter what purpose and attitude they compete with. Such a problem had earlier been alike also among disciples in Jesus’ time. Come to think of it, we can recall in memory that selfish greed had been the cause of the conflict from the early days of man. Cain’s murder against younger brother Abel was due to the jealousy and hatred against him, and that also was a tragedy caused from greed.

 

I have a mind there is a bit problem of ways teaching the active mindset in the church. It isn’t bad to do actively whatever, but if they show active attitude in blindness without the solid basis of ‘in Christ,’ their attitude could might incline to wrong conceit after all. Conceit is rather worse than the passive attitude. That is because the passive attitude accompany a caution, but self conceit cannot be controlled and would put oneself at risk. Therefore we should teach earnestly about Christ who He is first, ahead of teaching active thinking.

Among Jesus’ twelve disciples were James and John, sons of Zebedee. Their mother brought two sons and gave greetings before Jesus. Jesus asked her what she wanted. And “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right and the other at Your left in Your kingdom.” she said. Jesus asked them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” Then they replied lightly that they could do so. To be sorry, James and John and their mother were yet ignorant and foolish in spiritual sense.

Spiritually ignorant people tend to be easy inclined to behaviors of foolishness and greed. There are still many people who are spiritually ignorant even though they have become members of the Christian Church. Even if they have become the pastors who preach the words of Christ, there are many people who are spiritually immature yet. They think wrong that following Christ is a work gaining life in public favor. It seems common thinking for many to expect to be treated well as a pastor. I ask myself a question if I have lived so or not likewise. And I have no choice but to answer ‘Yes, I have lived wrong.’ honestly. That’s why my heart is often heavy.

The life of faith that follows Jesus is a path of suffering that drink with Jesus the painful cup that He received. Jesus was suffered and crucified to death by people. He was the innocent, but He was hated, ridiculed and suffered. What we believe in Jesus means that have to follow, in our own actual life, everything He had been subjected to. Even if people had once paid attention to me and applauded me, it cannot be inevitably continued to my success. In the actualities of the Gospel and the ministry, we need absolutely to undergo a process of hardship and patience. But by the reason that you were through hardships, it is not you can receive just now honorable reward you’ve hoped for. Jesus referred to that point clearly. What Jesus said meant that a person prearranged in God’s will would receive the positions prepared in the Lord’s kingdom.

James and John would have been disappointed because they did not fulfill their own expectations, and the other ten disciples were upset about the two brothers. What the hell is it? It is a so pity that the disciples who follow Jesus had fallen into envy and anger because of their greed. Jesus asked His disciples not to do that to each other among them, even if Gentiles do like that. Jesus also instructed His disciples that those who want to be the head should be servants for others. How would be your thoughts? You want to be superior to others, but you don’t want to be a servant for others, do you?

 

When I was young, I had thought to become a pastor will be glorious and enjoyable. Then I thought superficially of Christ’s suffering, but I didn’t digest and understand it through practice of my life, in the inner of my soul. Now still would not be much different from the past. Christ came to this world to give His life for people. Thus pastor, Jesus’ disciple, must offer one's life for others as a servant of Christ. That’s the real way to be the superior than others.

 

(Written by Koonoh, Pastor of JDO Presbyterian Church in Korea, on Sept 19th 2021)