The Greatest. Who wouldn't want that title? We have people competing in sports to be the greatest. We have people who do record-breaking things to be awarded the greatest. We have ceremonies, Grammies, Oscars, races, You Tube videos, contests, tv shows- all based on the question: So you think you're the greatest?
Shows that Joey and I enjoy watching clips of is the X Factor, Britain's Got Talent or American Idol. It's funny, emotional, stunning, ridiculous- all at the same time. The shows are a perfect example of people wanting to be great, thinking they are great, and trying to prove to the world that they are great. It's up to the judges (or the audience) to tell them whether they truly are or not. You have people on there that honestly think they are good at singing (or whatever talent) and they are outright horrendous! If you have seen one of these shows, you probably just chuckled, because you can recall a performer that was simply terrible. At the end of their audition, or sometimes in the middle when they're cut off, they're told they are not the greatest- in fact, they are the worst. These shows exist because people want to be great. We watch these shows and laugh or praise the performers. But you don't have to turn on a television to see people desiring to be the greatest. You can look in your workplace, your community maybe even your church. This is what the disciples were arguing about on their way to Capernaum. "I am the greatest disciple!" "No, I am- remember all that I did for Jesus?" Can you imagine their conversation? Jesus, knowing their discussion, says in verse 35: "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't recall a show that people competed to be the most servant-like or the least among people. If a show was ever invented, I bet they'd have to pay people big bucks to be on the show. People don't naturally desire to be last, least or a servant. I'm sure all of us on some level, Christian or non-Christian, struggle with desiring to be great. Instead, our desire should be Jesus. He is the only one that can take that prideful attitude to be great and turn it into servant-mindedness humility.
Shows that Joey and I enjoy watching clips of is the X Factor, Britain's Got Talent or American Idol. It's funny, emotional, stunning, ridiculous- all at the same time. The shows are a perfect example of people wanting to be great, thinking they are great, and trying to prove to the world that they are great. It's up to the judges (or the audience) to tell them whether they truly are or not. You have people on there that honestly think they are good at singing (or whatever talent) and they are outright horrendous! If you have seen one of these shows, you probably just chuckled, because you can recall a performer that was simply terrible. At the end of their audition, or sometimes in the middle when they're cut off, they're told they are not the greatest- in fact, they are the worst. These shows exist because people want to be great. We watch these shows and laugh or praise the performers. But you don't have to turn on a television to see people desiring to be the greatest. You can look in your workplace, your community maybe even your church. This is what the disciples were arguing about on their way to Capernaum. "I am the greatest disciple!" "No, I am- remember all that I did for Jesus?" Can you imagine their conversation? Jesus, knowing their discussion, says in verse 35: "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't recall a show that people competed to be the most servant-like or the least among people. If a show was ever invented, I bet they'd have to pay people big bucks to be on the show. People don't naturally desire to be last, least or a servant. I'm sure all of us on some level, Christian or non-Christian, struggle with desiring to be great. Instead, our desire should be Jesus. He is the only one that can take that prideful attitude to be great and turn it into servant-mindedness humility.
Jesus, I need that. Jesus, I need you. Please transform my heart full of pride into a servant's heart of humility. Let me not seek greatness, but seek the One who is Great. Lord, let me be content with a simple life, one of no "great" purpose, but one of many God designed purposes. Jesus, I love you, and I desire my heart to change, to be more like You. Amen.
~Leanne~
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