**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today! Your writings have profoundly impacted countless lives. In Mark 9:35, you say, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Can you explain what you meant by that?
**Author:** Absolutely, and thank you for having me. This passage came from a moment when the disciples were arguing about who among them was the greatest. I saw it as an opportunity to teach them about true greatness in the Kingdom of God.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a pivotal moment. Why did you choose to emphasize servanthood in your message?
**Author:** Servanthood is at the core of what it means to follow Christ. We often equate greatness with power, status, or position. However, in God’s view, true greatness is found in humility and service to others. By saying that the first must be last, I aimed to flip the world’s values on their head.
**Interviewer:** That’s a powerful message. How do you think this perspective was received by your audience at the time?
**Author:** Initially, I think it was challenging for them to grasp. The culture was steeped in honor and status, so asking them to consider themselves last would have been quite shocking. But that’s the beauty of the Gospel—it invites transformation and a new way of thinking.
**Interviewer:** Have you seen this principle of servanthood manifest in the lives of your followers?
**Author:** Yes, time and again. I’ve witnessed ordinary people step into extraordinary roles through acts of service. When individuals embrace this mindset, they not only uplift others but also find true fulfillment in their lives. It’s a divine paradox: in giving ourselves, we actually receive something far greater.
**Interviewer:** What is your hope for those who reflect on this teaching today?
**Author:** My hope is that they embrace the call to serve—not just in grand gestures, but in everyday interactions. The world tends to celebrate the loudest and most visible. But let’s not forget that the most profound changes often occur in the quiet acts of love and service. That’s where the heart of Christ truly shines.