Deep down I think we’d all like to be great. The disciples did. In Mark 9 they are discussing amongst themselves who is the greatest. It’s interesting that Jesus doesn’t rebuke them for wanting to be great. Instead, He wants them to know how to actually be great. Not only is greatness different than what they think, its seems that they will not be able to achieve it without discussing it with Him. What He said surprised them.

“If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and a servant of all.”

Because we don’t have servants, what He says to them can be a bit of a stretch for us to comprehend. But for His disciples and everyone else in the Roman world servants were very much a known entity. Some estimate that one in four people in the Roman empire were employed in servitude. I can’t think of a single job or role in our cultural context that would encompass 25% of the population. Maybe students?

It is true that people were often forced into servitude or enrolled in it as a punishment for crimes committed. But people also voluntarily gave themselves over to a willing master because of the benefits provided. Namely, a roof over your head and three square meals a day. Your job was to do your master’s will, and his job was to provide for all your needs.

This was different from the transatlantic slave trade, based on race or ethnicity. In the Greco-Roman world, children born to servants were not servants. Once a person became a servant they would not necessarily stay one indefinitely. Rather, through a contractual agreement the servant became entirely dependent on his or her master.

What an interesting way to redefine greatness – dependence. While many of us find dependence insulting and degrading, Jesus’ words give great hope. Anyone could sign themselves up for servanthood if there was a willing master. When Jesus invites the disciples to choose that path, He is saying loud and clear – the Master is willing and able! Anyone is welcome!

Of course, we are given several metaphors for becoming followers of Christ: adoption, marriage, etc. Servitude is just one among many, but this particular metaphor comes with the good news that anyone can become truly great. As long as you offer yourself to the right master.