Who is the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) in baseball? For sure, Babe Ruth would be on most people’s list. Ruth’s statistics help to prove the case. After all these years, he’s still the all-time leader in slugging percentage (.690) and second RBI (2,214) while hitting 60 home runs in 1927, which was far beyond what any other player could do at the time. Beyond the stats, the Yankees built a stadium because of his popularity. He even had a candy bar named after him!

The acronym GOAT is often used these days when comparing athletes and coaches. The word “goat” has been used in American sports since the early 1900s, first as a sarcastic term for a player responsible for a team’s loss, and later, often in capital letters, as an acronym for “greatest of all time.” It’s hard to pin down exactly when the term showed up as a positive acronym and which sports figure was the first to benefit from the new usage. Have you ever heard the acronym GITK (Greatest in the Kingdom)? Probably not. The answer in Mark 9:33-37 would, of course, be Jesus.

Mark 9 – Greatness Defined

Jesus defines personal greatness very differently than the world. His message here in Mark is pretty simple: It isn’t about you! John MacArthur put it best, “The cost of true greatness is humble, selfless, sacrificial service. The Christian who desires to be great and first in the kingdom is the one who is willing to serve in the hard place, the uncomfortable place, the lonely place, the demanding place, the place where he is not appreciated and may even be persecuted. Knowing that time is short and eternity long, he is willing to spend and be spent.”

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete know serving others is essential, and their ambition is to build the kingdom of God, not their own brand. Even when they can be great in the eyes of others and are willing to let their lives be spent for the kingdom of God.

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – “And sitting down, He [Jesus] called the twelve and said to them, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.'” Mark 9:35 LSB

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