Re: Verse reading- Mark 10:35-45; John 13:12-17; James 2:14-17 (day five) 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The disciples were so selfish and seemingly disconnected from what was really going on. Jesus was communicating really BIG things. Perhaps they picked up on the symbol of the cross. It is the ultimate sign of submission and sacrifice. I’m guessing though, they missed the other symbol. The towel. It is the symbol of service. Most of us know deep in our hearts we are not the greatest. No need to be convinced. But, our pride and selfishness create this desire to not be “the least” (last). “At least I’m better than some/most”. Yet, Jesus challenges this idea with His teaching and actions. So, they not only heard it (Mark 10), they saw it (John 13).