In synoptic Gospels there were three times Jesus predicted he would be handed over into the hands of men and killed by them. This was the second time Jesus talked about his Mission of being miserable, died and rose again for the sake of others. Unfortunately, although Jesus tried to speak a lot of times, His disciples still didn't get what he meant. This time wasn't an exception. The disciples almost didn't pay any attention to what their Master was saying about.
Not only did They fail to understand but no one also asked Him about this. They spent a long time discussing about who greatest is among them along the way instead. It seemed that it was very important for them to know who is the greatest one among them. Perhaps it was not only to know but most of them wanted to be the greatest in this group. It was clear that they followed Jesus since they hoped that they could have a high position in Jewish society at that time. Knowing about what they were thinking, Jesus taught them a lesson: "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all". How unreasonable the statement was! how could the first be the last and the servant of all? it was very difficult to accept that. However, being Jesus' disciples means accepting that statement naturally. The reason is that Jesus himself didn't come to be served but to serve and died for the sake of all people. It means that in the Kingdom of Jesus there are not the greatest or the smallest ones but there are only the servants. Whenever people know how to be servants, they will not mention what positions they can hold because they know that being a servant is much more important and meaningful than being the greatest.
Not only did They fail to understand but no one also asked Him about this. They spent a long time discussing about who greatest is among them along the way instead. It seemed that it was very important for them to know who is the greatest one among them. Perhaps it was not only to know but most of them wanted to be the greatest in this group. It was clear that they followed Jesus since they hoped that they could have a high position in Jewish society at that time. Knowing about what they were thinking, Jesus taught them a lesson: "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all". How unreasonable the statement was! how could the first be the last and the servant of all? it was very difficult to accept that. However, being Jesus' disciples means accepting that statement naturally. The reason is that Jesus himself didn't come to be served but to serve and died for the sake of all people. It means that in the Kingdom of Jesus there are not the greatest or the smallest ones but there are only the servants. Whenever people know how to be servants, they will not mention what positions they can hold because they know that being a servant is much more important and meaningful than being the greatest.
May all of us can know well that It is more important to have somethings, including the authority, to serve others than to have every thing but only to satisfy only our ambition.
Duy Thạch SVD
Sept, 23rd.
No comments:
Post a Comment