Pentecost 18 (6)

Mark 9:30–37 (NIV84)

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. 33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” 36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

In this section, Jesus teaches us how important it is for those in power to be humble and to use this power to serve rather than be overbearing. This is not always easy to do or realized in the world in which we live. For example from several decades ago.

“If we are an arrogant nation, they will resent us,” George W. Bush said during a presidential debate in 2000; “if we’re a humble nation, but strong, they’ll welcome us.” Having promised humility as a candidate, Bush then went on to succumb as president to hubris, launching ill-fated and quasi-messianic wars in Iraq and elsewhere in the name of the foreign-policy fad of the time, called neoconservatism.

This historical event is used in this article to warn that we may not be able to count on current promises made by candidates.

Such cognitive dissonance is a reminder that it’s well-nigh impossible to predict how politicians running for the Oval Office will conduct themselves once they’re in it. We may conjecture about the possible foreign policies of Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump, but these theories are likely to explode on impact with the vagaries of world events — such as, in Bush’s case, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The article goes on to say that the author is hopeful than Kamala Harris would do what Bush had promised, not what he had done.

That said, Harris has shown signs that she could chart a trajectory that would be roughly the obverse of Bush’s. As a female candidate running against a wannabe strongman, she must signal that she’d be at least as tough as Trump: “As commander in chief, I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world,” she promised at the Democratic National Convention. Once in office, though, she’s likely to strive for the ideal described by Bush the candidate, not Bush the president: strong but humble.

My example is not to endorse any candidate or political party. But to show that politicians do realize the value of using strength to serve and help but do not always carry it out.

Keep this thought as we consider those who have been rich and powerful and what Jesus teaches us about using the riches and power that we have in our own lives.

Who was the richest person to ever live?

According to most historians, Mansa Musa, the 14th century ruler of the Mali Empire, is considered the richest person in history, with his wealth stemming from his country's vast gold deposits, which at the time amounted to nearly half of the world's gold supply. Key points about Mansa Musa: Empire: He ruled the Mali Empire in West Africa.Source of wealth: His empire controlled a significant portion of the world's gold trade.Famous pilgrimage: Mansa Musa is well known for his lavish pilgrimage to Mecca, where he reportedly brought so much gold that he significantly impacted the local economy.

Another list gives us these names: Some may or may not be familiar to us.

Augustus Caesar

Jakob Fugger

Mansa Musa

John D. Rockefellar

Andrew Carnegie

Nicholas II of Russia

Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII

Allan Rufus

Cornelious Vanderbilt

Basil II

Henry Ford

John Jacob Astor

King Solomon (Of course, modernists deny he actually existed.)

With great wealth often comes great power. Another list would be the answer to the question: Who was the most powerful person in the world — most influential?

This one started when Janan Ganesh wrote in the Financial Times that President Harry Truman in mid-1945 was “the most powerful human being who has ever lived”, because of the US’s nuclear monopoly and its vast share of world economic output. Here are 10 other claimants to that title.

1. Ramesses II, 1213BC. The most powerful pharaoh, known by the Greeks as Ozymandias.

2. Cyrus the Great of Persia, 530BC. Nominated by Richard K, Stewart Slater.

3. Alexander the Great, 323BC. Thanks to Elliot Kane. Also featured in Top 10 Greats (People). “At the time China had descended into the Warring States period, removing the obvious competitors for the title,” added Stewart Slater, although Wu of Han united China under a strong central state by 87BC.

4. Jesus. Nominated by Bill Bennett, “with hindsight”.

5. Trajan, AD117. Roman emperor at the greatest extent of the empire.

6. Constantine the Great, AD324-337. Reunited the Roman empire and started its adoption of Christianity (although that was actually done by Theodosius I). Nominated by Dan Kelly.

7. Li Shimin, Taizong of Tang, emperor of China, AD649. Strong ruler who extended Chinese rule over Korea, Vietnam and central Asia. “Ruler of all under heaven, after all,” said James Hannam.

8. Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, 1554. Abdicated from all his possessions across Europe by 1556. Rob Redmond.

9. David Lloyd George, 1919-22. Prime minister when the British empire was at its greatest extent after the First World War. Although Lord Palmerston, prime minister 1859-65, nominated by Paul T Horgan, might have a better claim.

10. Sundar Pichai, chief executive of Google, 2022. Nominated by Sean Rogers.

This list triggered all manner of debate. Truman may have had the exclusive potential to annihilate humanity, but what actual leverage did that give him? What about Stalin, asked David Herdson. “His word and whim was law on a scale that was unmatched.” Paul T Horgan nominated Levrenty Beria, Stalin’s security chief and spymaster, who “held ultimate sway over the USSR and its slave states, but also subverted numerous Western power structures, as well as stealing American atomic secrets that quickly turned the US monopoly on nuclear weapons into a duopoly”.

I believe Jesus should be at the top of both lists — and also at the bottom depending on which stage of life he is in.

2 Corinthians 8:8–9 (NIV84)

8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

As true God, he would be the richest. Because of his intimate union with the Father and the Holy Spirit, he created the world and everything in it. So the Psalmist’s statement: “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” applies equally to Jesus as much as the Father and the Holy Spirit.”

Philippians 4:19 NIV84

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

But during his life on earth, Jesus was also poor. A fact we don’t need to dwell on because it was so obvious.

As for power, Colossians 2:9–10 (NIV84) For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

One of the attributes of God is that he is Omnipotent — all powerful. This is demonstrated conclusively in the Bible through many examples.

But during his life on earth, Jesus limited his power — succumbing to his enemies and allowing himself to be put to death as we repeatedly predicted to his disciples before it happened as for example in our text.

For humans, what is the danger of being powerful? Perhaps you have heard the phrase: The quote “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” is attributed to John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton, an English Catholic historian, politician, and writer. Acton wrote the quote in a letter to an Anglican bishop in 1887. The idea that power corrupts is a common theme in human history, from ancient civilizations to modern politics, business, and entertainment. The Torah also teaches that power corrupts, and that leaders should have as limited power as possible in a just society.

Star Trek TV fans may recall this phrase being discussed among Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy and how they mention some of the people on the above list of most powerful people of all time.

We may think that the President of the United States is the most powerful person in the world (see above) but we also realize that by the Constitution their power is limited and rightly so.

The Bible commands those in power to be just and not ruthless.

Deuteronomy 16:18–20 (NIV84)

18 Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. 19 Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. 20 Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Matthew 20:24–28 (NIV84)

24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Although in this passage Jesus does not accuse people of using their power in a corrupt way, he does remind them that those in power will use their power to be authoritative and for their own advantage. This is a common theme throughout history and at the heart of the argument that the disciples were having.

Why were they arguing about this? Jesus had just taught (by way of reminder) that something significant was about to happen. Although they did not understand the full meaning of rising from the dead, they did believe that Jesus was about to usher in a new age and they would have recalled his promise that they would be ruling with him (see passage).

Matthew 19:28–30 (NIV84)

28 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

But who would be Jesus’ top official and what positions would each hold in his new kingdom? We can only speculate how that conversation (argument) went. We can assume that it was taking a direction not intended by Jesus based on his reaction.

After asking them what they had been arguing about (a rhetorical question), Jesus sets them straight. Greatness in his kingdom is not about lording it over others and using our resources to take advantage but using them to serve others and to help them.

Illustration: In the last century, our world saw tragic examples of how military might was used by those who wielded it. (see examples)

The most obvious example would be the events of World War II in which Japan, Germany, and Italy used their military might to invade other countries, subject them to tyranny, and rob them of their resources. In time other more powerful nations used their military might to rescue the nations that had been subjected and to establish a more peaceful balance in the world but not immune from further aggressive attacks.

What authority and resources do we have and how are we to use them? Short answer: To serve.

Jesus did not establish the type of worldly kingdom the disciples imagined. But he did enrich his followers with “every spiritual blessing in Christ” and God has empowered us with the gifts of time, talent, and treasure. Jesus teaches us to use those to serve and gives himself as an example.

Ironically, this takes place soon after our text as the disciples still seemed to be arguing about who is the greatest:

Mark 10:32–45 NIV84

32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Years later St. Peter would apply this to the early Christians. An application that we do well to heed even today.

1 Peter 5:1–4 NIV84

1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.