President Barack, Chairman Hu, and Jesus

I enjoyed a good cup of tea tonight with a Chinese friend. He works in a very successful Chinese telecommunications company. I only recently met him. I find my friend humble, generous (he picked up the bill), and fun. I also find that my friend is as proud of China and his company as I am of America and the companies I have worked for.

It was interesting to me to remember my natural competitive feelings toward my friend's success when we first met. America is struggling right now. The media in the US runs story after story about the cat and mouse game between China and the US as both jockey for advantage. It is too easy to view a successful Chinese company and by associate a successful Chinese employee as a threat to my country's, my company's, and my own prosperity.


The Gospel of Mark (The New International Diplomatic Paraphrase version)

Then President Barack and Chairman Hu, the sons of Commerce, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. They replied "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" "We can," they answered. ... "These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."

When the EU, Russia, Japan, the UAE, and rest of UN members heard about this, they became indignant with President Barack and Chairman Hu. Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Okay, so this was not an official paraphrase. I had a little fun changing out the names. The point is still valid in my mind. The world tells us for every winner there must be a loser. If the growth or success of another country outpaces our own then they must be taking away some of our prosperity. So seek advantage and power whenever and however you can find it.

The Gospel's words remind me that competition with each other has no place in the church. That is what makes following Christ different. Power, wealth, and advantage become tools of service. In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul speaks of how the church is made of many parts like a human body where the function and ability of each part is different, yet all parts are equal. If even one part is missing the body can not function.

The resulting logic in my mind is that it is unimportant who has wealth, power, or advantage. I must cheer others success, and seek to serve to the best of my ability with what I have been given. Thanks, George for your friendship and this valuable lesson! (the tea was good too.)