The Upside Down – Following Jesus in a Power-Hungry World: Mark 9:30-37
Introduction
If you’ve ever felt the tension between what the world defines as “success” and what Jesus calls “greatness,” you’re in the right place. Jesus is about to flip your understanding of leadership upside down.
You may not think of yourself as a leader, but let me be clear: If you’re influencing anyone—your kids, your co-workers, the PTA, even your neighbor across the street—then you are leading. Jesus had a radical message for you.
If you observe the world a little, it can seem like leadership means being in control, getting ahead, and having the loudest voice. But Jesus flips that upside down and says real leadership is about serving. It’s about being willing to give up something from yourself so someone else can gain.
I want to remind you of the important words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” Leadership is not limited to positions of power or influence. Leadership is available, and greatness is attainable, to anyone willing to serve.
You can serve your boss. You can serve your colleagues. You can serve your employees and volunteers. You can serve your neighbors and strangers. You can serve those less fortunate and those you would say are well off. There is no limit to service opportunities.
Jesus indicates the mantra of great people, great leaders, and great churches, “I am here for you.”
If we want a great church, we need then we need folks who will consistently say, “I am here for you.” How are you going to serve others?
Let’s take a look at this text and reflect on the leadership lessons Jesus offers us.
1. The Disciples’ Misunderstand Greatness (Mark 9:33-34)
Jesus and the disciples are walking 30 or so miles from Galilee to Capernaum and Jesus drops a bombshell: he will suffer, be killed, and rise again. Instead of grasping this, the disciples misunderstand him and get sidetracked by an argument over who among them is the greatest.
Jesus’ minister spanned three years: 1, 2, 3. The first year was the “Year of Early Ministry,” where he called his first disciples, performed miracles, and taught in Galilee. The third year, known as the “Year of Opposition,” is tense and has him facing growing resistance from leaders of all types, leading to his arrest and death.
This moment happens during the second year—the “Year of Popularity.” Jesus is performing miracles, his teaching is wowing folks and picking up steam. He feeds 5,000 here and 4,000 there. Life is good for the disciples as well—they are riding the wave of fame as well, with people wanting autographs and selfies.
In that type of situation, when the group is great, and the tension is low, and the momentum is going, when one little push gets exponential results, it’s easy to lead.
Yet Jesus warns them: “The wave you are riding will crash soon. It will not always be this easy.” He’s preparing them to be great. He knows that after his departure, they will be influential across the Mediterranean world—north Africa, southern Europe, Turkey, and even India. All but one of them, John, will die as martyrs. Even John will face exile.
You see, Jesus is teaching them that true greatness in his kingdom isn’t about status—it’s about service. After he’s gone, some will be great, but not through accolades or power. They’ll be great by laying down their lives—literally in martyrdom and by serving others.
But the disciples miss the point entirely, bickering over rank.
It’s almost laughable, right? Jesus, the Messiah, is talking about suffering and service, and his closest followers are talking about status. He’s talking about setting aside yourself or your preferences and they are talking about champagne wishes and caviar dreams.
2. Jesus Redefines Leadership (Mark 9:35)
They reach their destination and Jesus drops the radical lesson. They arrive at a house in Capernaum, sit down, and Jesus asks, “What were you arguing about?” Cue the awkward silence.
Jesus realizes they’ve totally misunderstood him, so, like a good teacher, he sets the record straight. He takes a young child, possibly an infant, and says, “This is greatness. This child can offer you nothing but presence. You must serve them and do what’s in their best interest, so they grow and thrive. That’s what leadership is. That’s what a kingdom person does. They lift others up for the sake of the person not for the sake of another position.”
Can you lead like that? Can you serve people who can’t pay you back, who can’t boost your status? Can you serve for the sake of serving and let that be enough?
I imagine Jesus saying, “Guys, listen. Goodness and greatness don’t demand attention; they give attention. If you want to show someone the love of God, don’t demand that they care, show them you care for them by serving.
As leadership author Simon Sinek said, “Leadership is not about being in charge, it’s about taking care of those who are in your charge.”
3. Jesus’ Teaching is Jesus’ Model for Us
This passage is what Jesus desires his church to be. Jesus wants us to be great in service, so that our mantra is, “I am here to serve.” We are above no one and no task is below us.
Everyone in this church can be great because everyone can serve.
It’s good to come to church, to receive, hear the gospel, enjoy the music, and sing. It’s even better when you participate and pitch in. That’s when you learn Jesus’ words—those who lay down their lives find it.
Let me talk to you about some service opportunities in the church.
Service Opportunities in the Church
· Sign up for a coffee hour. Providing food facilitates conversation and our ability to build friendships. It’s easier than you might think. Reach out to Betty Bakker. She can talk to you about what it entails.
· A big part of setting the tone for Sunday morning is smiling, giving eye contact, and saying hello. Might you be a greeter? You’d simply need to be here about 10-15 minutes before the worship service.
· Pick up trash around the church: if you see something that needs tidying up around the sanctuary or the grounds, take a moment to clean it up. Small actions make a big difference.
· Be a liturgist – I will train you. I will spend time with you and give you feedback. It’s very important. The liturgist is the lead worshipper. We could really use a few more people to help.
· When we have a potluck, don’t just volunteer to bring something. Volunteer to either come early to set up or volunteer to stay later and help clean up.
· Starting the Livestream – we have a laptop that is hooked to a camera. The process is pretty straightforward, even a minister could do it. There are a few people who do it now, but we need a team so the burden doesn’t fall on 1 or 2 people. This livestream team helps us get the word out, they allow our church members who’ve moved away to worship with us. “Hi Audrey! We miss you and love you!”
· Teach Sunday School – if we had 1 more Sunday School teacher we could offer Sunday School all year round! We have 3 teachers who teach 1 month at a time. If we added a fourth that would mean that if you taught in September, you would teach again in January. It spreads the work, spreads the joy, and spreads the love of God. The curriculum is not burdensome. It is fun, good, and creative. Our church kids are learning the faith. If you have a passion for teaching or passing on the faith, then talk to me about that.
· Coordinator for altar candles – I think it would be great if we had the children light the altar candles at the beginning of the worship service. The candles represent how Jesus is the light of the world, and how his teachings bring light into our darkness. This coordinator would email parents and set up a simple schedule and then confirm that their child would be at church that Sunday to light the candles. Would you like to serve as that?
· We have the Tower Project coming up. This is a once-in-a-lifetime project with lasting, positive consequences. Those who serve on this tower committee will leave an indelible mark on the future of this church. Your church needs you. Your church needs you to step forward and prioritize this for a handful of months.
END:
It’s great to come to church and soak it in, but you know what’s even better? Rolling up your sleeves and saying, “How can I serve? How can I make this place better for someone else?” Because that’s when the magic happens—that’s when greatness happens. That’s when Jesus’ love shows up and lives are changed.
That’s when we realize Jesus was telling the truth, we really gain more life when we give it away.
