Greatness
"WHOEVER WOULD BE GREAT AMONG YOU MUST BE YOUR SERVANT" MATTHEW 20:26
Greatness. Who doesn't want it? Muhammad Ali said it best: "I am the greatest." There is no shortage of people seeking it. In fact, the Lord himself encourages the seeking of greatness. It is, however, a much different kind of greatness than the world offers.
CS Lewis hit upon a surprising truth when he said, "It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak." I think this applies to our desires for greatness. Could it be that our sin is not that we seek to be great in this world, but that we are content with not being great in Christ's kingdom?
Who are the greatest saints in church history? Those who spent themselves serving. Be that saint. Ask how you can serve others, then do it. Look for needs in your local church. Disciple younger saints. Pray for people (really). Be sensitive to your neighbors and coworkers and find ways to serve them as well. "Do good to everyone" (Galatians 6:10).
The greatest act of service has already been done: "the Son of Man...[gave] his life as a ransom for many" (verse 28). We serve the eternal interests of others when we point out the way to escape being served with the fierce judgment that is coming their way. Jesus paid the ransom price for all who will trust him. We can be careless of ourselves because his care for us is immense. He served us; now we can serve others.