Dead Last.

³³ And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, ”What were you discussing on the way?” ³⁴ But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. ³⁵ And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:33-35)

Very last. Dead last. Being “first” in Jesus’ kingdom requires being “last of all and servant of all.”

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What kind of race is this? Who races to the bottom?

Jesus.

Though He was equal with God, He did not regard equality with God something to be jealously grasped. Instead, he humbled himself and made himself of no reputation. He became a servant. He took our flesh. He became obedient… unto death… even death on a cross. He raced to the bottom of the cup of God’s wrath.

For us.

So the Master says to us:

“⁴² You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. ⁴³ But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Why should we who were purchased by Him and who follow Him now pursue being “last of all” and “servant of all”” Why should we seek greatness by being slaves? Because of Him. “For” or “Because”… ”even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

The Son of Man who shares glory with the Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:13-14) sought lowliness for us. He was a servant–a suffering servant–and now we who share His life share His status. We come to serve–if we are His.

The Master promises: “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt. 16:25). Save then lose. Lose for Jesus then find.

So, why then am I so eager to be “first” in that Gentile-lording-it-over-others way rather than being “last” in that great-in-the-kingdom-of-heaven way?

The problem is not the aptitude of my hands but the attitude of my heart. I know how but my heart resists.

Seven attitudinal reasons I can see so far:

• The attitude that says, “They’re trying to get me to do something I don’t want to do.” Like volunteer or attend. That attitude is one way I hold onto my life rather than lose it. I live as if my wants are most important.
• The attitude that says, “They’re trying to get me to give something I don’t want to give.” Like time or money. That’s another way I try to save my life—I live as if my possessions are most important.
• The attitude that says, “I want to be known as a servant even though I don’t want to be treated as one.” That’s wanting to be important and prominent rather than being a “very last” nobody.
• The attitude that says, “I only want to serve the way I desire instead of serving where there’s need.” That’s putting my own sense of gratification and worth over the needs of others.
• The attitude that says, “I only serve when I feel like it.” That’s convenience, not service. We’re only doing something when there’s no cost to us.
• The attitude that says, “I only want to do what I think is in my ability or means.” That’s living for comfort. If it’s shopping for things we like, we can spend far beyond our means and do it happily. But if it’s giving or serving the church of God, then we suddenly become conscious of our limits. Do you ever notice that? We might say, “I can’t tithe or give beyond a tithe.” But if we were to take a look at our budgets and spending then we find out that we can’t start giving because we can’t stop spending! (Alcorn) We want our comfort rather than to be the very last servant.
• The attitude that says, “I….” I don’t serve like I ought because I think about “I” too much.

What then is the solution to my selfish heart?

Death.

Daily death.

Daily cross-carrying death.

Daily cross-carrying death to self.

Daily cross-carrying death to self that produces life in Christ.

“When Christ bids a man to come follow Him he bids him come die” (Bonhoeffer). But, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose” (Jim Elliot).

If I would die daily I could serve delightedly. If I could be servant of all then I could be that kind of “very last” that actually is “first” without being proud.

Oh, Lord, grant me the desire and make me a servant for thy Name’s sake! Give me a heart to be dead last among all the brethren.