Commentary on the Gospel of
Jesus was confronting two principle evils which he noticed taking root in the life of the disciples. It was their pride and jealousy. They showed undesirable signs of ambition, as they raced for key position of influence. Jesus wanted them to change their worldly attitudes and adopt God’s standard. Otherwise they would fail to witness to Jesus and be effective in their mission. God measures greatness by one’s ability to care and serve. Any amount of personal achievement or worldly status will not match God’s standard of greatness.
Gospel gives the answer to this perennial dilemma that the disciples experienced across the centuries. It is a gentle reminder that the disciples are called to serve and not to dominate or rule. The remedy for this kind of inordinate cravings is humility. Jesus points to the characteristic of child to be imitated by the disciples. The smallness of a child and its attitude of dependence are to be reflected in their life. In God’s sight, everyone is equal: there are no positions of power or status, but all are children equally loved and respected by the heavenly Father. The more you care and serve, the greater you are. The disciples were also carried away by their jealousy towards others. In doing God’s work there is no place for jealousy or pride. There is no ‘greater’ among the disciples. Being a ‘Christian’ or ‘disciple’ is the great thing. Therefore, the only goal of a disciple is to bring Jesus’ message to people, and this is the victory of God.
