Daily Devotional

February 21st 2025

Back to Devotionals notes

FRIDAY

They came to Capernaum. When [Jesus] was safe at home, He asked them, “What were you discussing on the road?” The silence was deafening—they had been arguing with one another over who among them was greatest. He sat down and summoned the Twelve. “So, you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all.” —Mark 9:33-35 (MSG)

Jesus knew what the disciples had been talking about. But when He asks them, He is met by embarrassed silence. They had been discussing who was the greatest among them. Somehow, that truth didn’t sound right in the presence of Jesus. It would be wonderful if we always had this awareness that what we say and think is being done in His presence. It might make us feel differently about many things.

In response, Jesus gave them a marvelously revealing statement. He told them the truth about ambition. He did not rebuke them for wanting to be greatest, for wanting to succeed. But He does share with them the true way to greatness. “It is not by seeking to be first,” He said. “It is by a willingness to be last. It is not by getting people to serve you; it is by becoming a servant of all.”

There are two kinds of ambition. There is the ambition to be approved and applauded by people, and the ambition to be approved and applauded by God. There are those who want to gain fame and attention, influence and power. The measure of the ambition to be great before people is always, “How many serve me? How much power do I exercise over others? How wide is the extent of my influence?”

But Jesus points out that true greatness is never found there. The measure of true greatness is “How many do I serve? How many can I help?”

Christianity is a radical faith! It is exactly the opposite of the natural instincts of the heart. Our natural inclinations will get us deeper and deeper into trouble. Though we may achieve a form of greatness in the eyes of people, it will turn into cobwebs and ashes in our hands.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for teaching us a radically different criterion for greatness and power. As we go today, let our lives reflect a growing understanding and application of Your teaching and example. Teach us the meaning of these words in the depths of our hearts. Help us to strive for that greatness that will shine throughout eternity. In the name of our Christ, we pray. AMEN!

(We invite your comments. Feel free to share this devotion with your friends and invite them to subscribe by forwarding their email address to the Pastor at: fredjeffsmith@gmail.com)

MORNINGS WITH SHILOH WEEKLY PRAYER LINK

Mornings with Shiloh airs on WVLA Channel 33 each weekday at 6:58 a. m. CST. Mornings with Shiloh is available on our Youtube channel at 8:00 a.m. CST.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO ACCESS OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL:

https://www.youtube.com/@ShilohMBCBR/videos

Want to get more involved at Shiloh?

Browse our Ministries