The fact that the twelve did not grasp the real significance of Jesus's messianic mission, that they did not understand that His Kingdom was a spiritual kingdom and not a temporal one, is borne out by their conversation on the way to Capernaum. They had been arguing one with another as to which of them would hold the highest rank in the coming kingdom. It is quite possible that Peter, James, and John, remembering that they had been singled out by Jesus to go with him on the Mount of Transfiguration, felt that they stood in line for the chief honors.
It should, however, be said in defense of the disciples that, while they argued about places of greatness in the kingdom, they were not willing for Jesus to know about it. When he questioned them about their conversation, they were too ashamed to answer him. Evidently they knew in their hearts that self-seeking and selfish ambition did not fit in at all with what Jesus had said to them from time to time.
Jesus assumed the typical posture of a teacher of that day as he sat down in their midst and called the twelve around him. He gave them a faith lesson on the true nature of greatness in the Kingdom of God. It was a difficult lesson for them to learn, even as it is a difficult lesson for us. The teaching of Jesus stands out in sharp contrast with the standards of the world.
The worldly standard declares: Work diligently to climb the ladder of success. Never be satisfied until you are first and famous in your field.
Jesus taught: If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all. (Mark 9:35)
It should be clearly understood that Jesus did not decry ambition. He did not say that a man should not seek to be great. What he did say was that, if a man desired greatness, he should seek to reach his goal not by serving his own interests, but by rendering service to others. In a way, the world at large has acknowledged the validity of this principle. The men and women of almost every generation who have been most highly esteemed have been those who have done much for the sake of others. It is incumbent on every Christian, then, to constantly ask himself, What good may I do for others?