Mark 9:30-35

 30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone
to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to
them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will
kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what
he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. 33 They came to Capernaum.
When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the
road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who
was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who
wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Meditation
1. In view of what lay ahead in Jerusalem, Jesus again prepared them by telling
them that He would suffer execution and experience resurrection. Rather
than discussing Jesus’ coming death and resurrection, the disciples had been
arguing about their own futures in the kingdom.
2. All of us struggle with the question of status and identity within a group.
Where do I fit? How important am I to this group?
How does Jesus’ style of success differ from the ideas of success that press
on me today?
3. What would it mean for me to reflect vv35-37 in my family? My work? What
is the incentive to do so?
Ask the Holy Spirit to help me to humbly serve others rather than to be
served.

Personal Note:
Most people including myself's ideas of success means respect and honour from people, wealthy and living a good life.  Jesus' style of success is obeying God and doing the will of God.  Success means God's purpose being carried out by disciples willing to become humble servants.

If I want to be great in God's eyes, I must be willing to follow Jesus Christ as being the humble servant to all.  My leadership as a pastor is reflected by my attitude of serving those whom I minister to instead of seeking to be recognized.