0206 THE WAY UP IS DOWN

THE WAY UP IS DOWN

The disciples were on their way through Galilee when an interesting intellectual discussion broke out real quietly amongst some of the disciples. We can guess that it involved Peter in some way. I imagine he and John fell back behind the group to clarify something. Peter happened to mention the clear fact that he was the top leader of the group, destined to sit at Jesus’ right hand in the kingdom.

John replies that Jesus likes him best. All the signs were there, and he was just saying that when they pair up in the boats, Jesus sits with him most of the time. Peter points out that it is John who sits with Jesus, not Jesus with him. He’s got no choice, says Pete. Then Pete says he’s the one that Jesus named the Rock, and he claims that Jesus is going to build His kingdom on him!

Oh, yeah, says John? Yeah, says Pete. In fact, says Pete, John only thinks Jesus likes him best. In fact, he says, the truth is, John encroaches on Jesus’ personal space bubble all the time, and He’s too nice to say anything about it.

Well, Judas checks in on the matter, and he says he’s the most qualified to be the leader of the group. Most education, knows his way around Judea, and so forth.

Well, that riles up John’s big brother James, who reminds the others that his mom got him and John to be first in line to sit on His right and left side in the kingdom. 

This whole thing is heating up into an argument, is what’s happening, but all done in whispers, cause they’re thinking Jesus wouldn’t like the way they’re talking right about now.

Later in the evening, as they’re settling in round a campfire, Jesus asks real casually: “So, what were y’all talking about on the road this morning?”

Suddenly, they all get busy maintaining the fire with their eyes. Slowly, painfully, it comes out: Well, they were arguing about who was greatest in the kingdom.

Jesus heaves a real slow sigh, and He looks around at them like He’s really disappointed, catching the eyes of each one of them. Suddenly, they become aware of how they’re sitting there. There’s the inner three, crowding in on Him. Then come the rest of the twelve. Then everyone else.

In the cold outside circle are the women and a few men who’ve been walking along with the disciples. There are also a couple of kids amongst that crowd. Or maybe several dozen. The disciples never really noticed.

Jesus calls one of the littlest ones forward. A little boy totters over to him, Jesus takes him up in his arms, and He says, “This little boy’s name is Joshua, but his daddy and momma call him Josh. Back home, he’s got a puppy named Jake, and he misses him. But he likes to play hide and seek, and he loves to sing, don’t you, Joshie-Boy? Any of you men know him?”

They all study their toes for a bit. Trying to think of something to say. How long’s that kid been with them?

Jesus speaks again: “This little boy, so precious and innocent, is the greatest in the kingdom of God. And unless y’all humble yourselves like him, you ain’t even gonna be there.”

“The way up is down, boys. Y’all want to be great? Learn to be the servant of all. Y’all want to be famous? Sit in the outside circle, instead of the closest seats. Do you begin to get this?”

They were beginning to get it, all right. 

Did you notice that Jesus never rebukes them for wanting to be the greatest in the kingdom? He doesn’t say, “Just cut that out! Stop thinking about yourself. Let’s all just cooperate rather than compete.” Why doesn’t Jesus say that?

Perhaps ambition is not a sin! SELFISH ambition is a sin. But Jesus knew that it is built into most of us to want to WIN. If a man is going to do something with his whole effort, it is with the goal of being the best at it. So Jesus goes about redirecting that natural competitiveness in their hearts. Get into a new contest: See who can SERVE the most! 

In that contest, the LOSER is the WINNER. King of the hill is won by going to the bottom and help to push others up the hill! It’s not wrong to run fast. But you just might be running in the wrong direction. The finish line is BACK THERE! 

Now, let’s all join in on a game of King of the Valley. And may the least one win.