Centuries have passed since the disciples of Christ Jesus debated among themselves "who should be the greatest." But we have all probably heard a question similar to theirs asked by individuals in the workplace, at home, at school, or even at church, who wonder who among their colleagues, friends, family, is the best or most important.
Sometimes those asking it genuinely want to make sure the right person is given credit for work done or is advanced in some way. But more often it expresses the attitude that Christ Jesus gently rebuked when he learned of the disciples' discussion. He said, "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all."Mark 9:34, 35. And he proved his words by the humility that his own life expressed.
But why is mankind so transfixed by the question of who is greatest? Is it not because of the misconception that man is mortal, the offspring of another mortal, and vulnerable in every direction? Esau must have felt something of this when he declared of his brother, "Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing."Gen. 27:36.
