We know Mark as the freight train evangelist. Just reading
his first chapter without pause can leave us nearly
breathless. By the time we get to this point in the Gospel, not
only have many actions been recorded but the word immediately
has been peppered throughout. This is no sit-down story. Jesus
is on the move—healing, teaching, exorcising demons, feeding
the hungry, and on and on.
Then something happens to bring it all to a halt. Is it a runin
with Pharisees? A scrape with the Sanhedrin? Is it fatigue or
weariness or disillusionment? It is none of these things. In the
middle of chapter 9, the center of the Gospel, everything comes
to a halt because Jesus perceives that his disciples are talking
about their own greatness. Jesus sits down—one of the few
times in the entire Gospel—and teaches his disciples.
It is very important to notice that the one thing that slows
down the pace of this Gospel is the evidence of selfish ambition
on the part of Jesus’ disciples. Who is the greatest? Who is the
best? Who is on top? Who is more special? When Jesus sensed
that this was the subject of their conversation, he sat down.
Think for a moment about what makes you “sit down.”
What leads you to set aside whatever you are doing and look
the other person in the eye? For Jesus, it may have been his
concern that the very heart of his teaching and witness might
be misunderstood, overlooked, or forgotten.
Jesus sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “Whoever
wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” This
is important; this is critical. In a nutshell, this is discipleship.

By Paul L. Escamilla from The Upper Room: 60 Days of Prayer for General Conference 2016