Jesus is trying hard to get his disciples to see the principle of “strength in weakness”. This is God’s plan for his people. Jesus is going to be handed over to be murdered, but God will raise him up again. Yet such an idea just scares the disciples, who want to rely on their own strength and are busying arguing about which of them will be the most heroic and get the biggest reward from Jesus. Meanwhile, they warn off anyone trying to move in on ‘their territory’. But Jesus warns them that this is so the wrong attitude. They need a humble spirit which seeks to serve all. This is his way and it’s the only way to please God.
And here is a short talk based on the same passage: He Changed The World (Episode 36)
Who’s the greatest?