NOTES for Mar 9:35
The Lord, astonishingly, does not reject in the disciples the natural, innate desire to be first. One might expect that an ordinary person would condemn this desire for primacy as unworthy and say that one must not exalt oneself. The Lord does say this, for example, in the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee.
But in wanting to free the disciples from arrogance, He does not limit Himself at all to pointing out that wanting primacy is bad. He proposes using this natural desire, as we would say now, "for peaceful purposes." In Christ's words, the path to primacy turns out to be the path of service to others, the path of making oneself small. This is the very path He Himself follows. In the apostle's words, He took the form of a servant and was obedient unto death on a cross, so that He might have first place in everything.
We all strive for primacy among people like ourselves, and Christ offers us a radical way to seek it without betraying Him, but by following Him.