Opinion

"Greatness"

Friday, December 12, 2014

The world values achievement, reputation, wealth, self-assurance, prestige, and the like. Not so with God. Jesus told James and his brother John that "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." The idea of servant hood runs so counter to our human nature and the spirit of this age, that few Christians have genuinely experienced this basic Kingdom truth. Biblical servant hood is not being on call for the whims and pleasures of another. Rather, it actively seeks the true well-being of others. Just as Jesus served His disciples, and us, in a completely unexpected way -- by dying for our sins rather than overthrowing our earthly enemies -- we are called to do what's best for others, even if they don't know how to define what that is. Spiritually speaking, it deepens their relationship with God, further establishes them in the kingdom, and demonstrates grace.

Our own agendas, godly though they may be, become so large and consuming that we rarely depart from them, at least not without feeling inconvenienced. Yet, servant-hood is an integral part of the gospel. Nowhere else, except in servant-hood, does Jesus give us a path to greatness. Our desire to accomplish great things for God's kingdom can only be fulfilled on this principle of being a servant to others. Remember that Christ's earthly ministry began in a lowly stable and ended in His sacrifice for the sins of the world. It was servant-hood from beginning to end and no greater life was ever lived.

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