Greetings, saints!
The way greatness is attributed in the Kingdom of God stands in sharp contrast to how it is measured in the world.
And they came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?”
— Mark 9:33
The disciples had been discussing among themselves, and Jesus questioned them about it.
But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.
— Mark 9:34
They remained silent because deep down, they knew what they were discussing was wrong. To understand why, we need to remember that not long before this, Jesus had told them how He would be crucified and suffer at the hands of wicked men. He had shown them that the most righteous, innocent, and truly great One—Jesus Himself—would humble Himself to the lowest position.
Yet, here were the disciples, discussing how to exalt themselves. They knew it was wrong, so when Jesus asked, they gave no answer.
And sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
— Mark 9:35
Jesus called the twelve together because He knew this mindset needed correction. The way of His Kingdom is humility, not self-exaltation. The disciples were meant to learn from Him that true greatness comes through humility and service.
In the world, greatness is measured by prestige, wealth, and power. The richest people are exalted; politicians, kings, queens, presidents, and CEOs are placed on pedestals.
But in the Kingdom of God, it is different. Jesus made it clear that those who humble themselves to serve others will be exalted.
Paul expressed this to the Philippian church when he encouraged them to adopt the same mindset as Christ:
Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
— Philippians 2:5-11
It was precisely because Jesus humbled Himself and gave His life to save others that God highly exalted Him above all else.
To make this lesson clear to His disciples, Jesus used a powerful illustration:
And taking a child, He set him before them. And taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.”
— Mark 9:36-37
The child symbolized humility. A child is weak, dependent, and unable to help themselves. In the same way, we come to God fully aware of our inability to save ourselves and our desperate need for His help.
This shows that entering the Kingdom of God is not about strength, wisdom, wealth, or power. It is about humbling ourselves and recognizing our total dependence on Him. That is true greatness.
Greatness in the Kingdom of God is not measured by what we achieve or what we own. It is found in humility, submission, and complete trust in God alone.
Grace and peace.
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