Your Position
My son is a speedster. Since he was little he seemed to quite simply go fast. He almost always wins the races at the skating rink. A few races ago, he was waiting to be called out in the rink and proudly proclaimed he would win the race. He was confident and I knew he was excited, but unfortunately those around him may not have seen it that way. I had a talk with him later about good sportsmanship, a virtue we had yet to discuss. However, this situation had me ask, “Where is the line between good competition and generosity?” Should we want to blow others away or should we be considerate of them? In the world we live in, ranking and position are thought to be of the most importance. We are told to climb to the top. To make the most money. To fight for the top job. To be the champion. The best. The greatest. We need to stop and ask, is this true? Furthermore, should we be living for this world? If not, what position should we be striving for?
Jesus talked about position. His disciples were debating who was the greatest. Matthew and Mark wrote an account of the discussion, and Luke did too, calling it an argument. They were questioning, “Which of them might be the greatest.” (Luke 9:46) Their idea of the greatest was exactly what anyone who lives in this world would assume it to be; the person at the top. Jesus knew their thoughts and their heart and corrected them all. He said, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) They did want to be first. Jesus told them the greatest will actually be in the last position. Jesus, The King of the World, proved this when he got down to wash their feet. Unlike our concrete sidewalks with shoes, they had dirt and sandals that required feet to be scrubbed clean. This was a common practice for the lowest servants, but Jesus showed us that serving others is for the greatest.
Those in low positions in our world may be losers to man, but not to God. The world’s opinion, which we all sadly value too much, is not what really matters. If we are serving Jesus, we will find our satisfaction in Him and not a position in this world.