Humility vs. Glory in the Spotlight
"They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’ - Mark 9:33-35
On the grandest stage in American sports, where fame, fortune, and cultural distractions are at their pinnacle, the Philadelphia Eagles emerged victorious as the 2025 Super Bowl Champions this past Sunday, and not just on the playing field. 126 million viewers watched as MVP Jalen Hurts and Head Coach Nick Sirianni discussed the win with reporters just moments after. Amid the flashing lights, green confetti, and cheers, their voices rose above the spectacle, relishing not just as champions of the game, but as men of faith who gave glory to God. They did not boast in their own greatness, rather honored the greatness in the Kingdom of God.
Their responses echo the lesson Jesus taught His disciples in Mark 9. The disciples, like so many in competitive arenas, had been arguing who was the greatest among them and then were embarrassed to answer Jesus’ question. Completely blinded in their quest for personal success, they were reluctant to take Jesus seriously about his own death, knowing if he died, the kingdom they imagined and their positions in it, would not come. Jesus uses this moment to turn their thinking upside down, emphasizing that true greatness is not found in worldly power, status, or achievement, but in humility, servanthood, and sacrificial love.
To illustrate His point, He placed a child in their midst — a symbol of the lowest, oftentimes overlooked, and most dependent of people — and declared that welcoming and serving the lowliest in society is the path to receiving God Himself. Jesus used a similar illustration in Matthew 18:3-4, where he calls on believers to have the humility of a child. Jesus clearly desires for us to have an “upside-down” growth towards humility and child-like faith at his feet. Notice too, the ultimate reward for a humble servant: not earthly blessings or praise of men, but receiving God himself!
In an atmosphere begging for pride and self-promotion, it would have been easy for the stars of the Eagles’ to bask in their own glory. Yet, in that moment of ultimate success, they chose to look beyond themselves to the God that blessed the journey, recognizing that the victory was not just about them but a platform to inspire and witness to the world: To be great is to serve. To be first is to be last.
The spectacle of the Super Bowl mirrors the temptations we all face in life: the lure of recognition, the pressure to conform, and the fleeting nature of worldly success. Yet, as Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni demonstrated, true victory is not in trophies or titles but in keeping our eyes fixed on Christ. Their words remind us that whether in the biggest game of our lives or in quiet, unseen moments, God’s definition of greatness isn’t about winning, but seeking to serve above all. In doing so, we will reflect the heart of Christ and find true greatness in His kingdom.
~ Originally from PA, Jennifer Korinchak became smitten with the Lake Norman area back in the early 2000s. She has lived here since 2014 and has been attending LIFE Fellowship with her husband Nate, and son Caleb since 2020.