The Greatest Of All

HUMAN NATURE DRAWS US like magnets to admire the “greatest” in any category, including technology, books, movies, and especially people. Our world assesses human greatness on the basis of riches, beauty, power, status, strength, and accomplishments. To earn credibility, we strive to be the “greatest” in our profession, sport, or area of talent.

The Bible also has a “greatest” designation. Although the contest for the title is open to every Christian, limited numbers enter. Why? Because the qualifications are challenging, and the prize won’t be awarded here and now—and who wants to wait for recognition?

Can you guess who qualifies to be the greatest? You might think the answer is Christians who have the biggest media platforms or speak to the largest audiences, but instead, it’s people like my friend Joy, who brings smiles to critically ill children with her therapy dog and pony. And there’s the couple who runs our safe house for rescued girls, the thousands of volunteers at Night to Shine, and the staff and volunteers at our local pregnancy center. My two friends named Sue are too humble to claim “greatness” status. So are Stacey, Jennifer, Jean, Karen, and Brandi, and yet they all work tirelessly in their different areas of ministry to serve others and share God’s love. When we get to heaven, we will be surprised by the unknowns who will be summoned to the front of the “greatest of all” line.

Two of Jesus’ disciples, James and John, attempted to qualify as the greatest, even asking Jesus whether they could sit in the most important places by His side in heaven. They were stunned when Jesus explained the concept of greatness to them: “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43-45).

The disciples didn’t anticipate that the road to greatness would be paved with serving, hard work, and humility. Servants don’t get to brag about their achievements or seek recognition for their work. Good servants don’t even complain. The “greatest of all” example and inspiration for serving is our Savior, who served us with humility: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant” (Philippians 2:5-7).

Having the spiritual gift of service is not a prerequisite for serving; everyone is called to serve. We learn how to do it from observing servants in action. Serving is not natural to me, but years ago I discovered that in the context of serving, I could have my greatest influence. Like many of us, I would rather be out in front than behind closed doors, but the Lord blessed me with a husband and five children, all of whom needed someone to serve them. He then sent me to an obscure mission field, where my family started multiple ministries in need of servants. When we moved back to the US, there were serving opportunities at church and in the community. Over time, I had to learn not to complain or reject the opportunity when I was called upon to serve.

We taught our kids that serving is the means to greatness: “The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12, NLT). I put these verses to a catchy tune so we could sing them over and over—and live them out. As we watched Bob serve those who couldn’t reciprocate, we followed his lead.

As you read this devotion, does a ministry or a person you could serve come to mind? A family provides a ready-made opportunity. So does a job. Servants bless their homes, offices, schools, neighborhoods, and churches. There are more opportunities to serve than there are servants.

Become a member of the “greatest among us.” You may need to wait until heaven to receive your prize, but Jesus Himself will reward you there for your faithful service (see 2 Corinthians 5:10). And He will say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21, NKJV).

REFLECTION

Where are you serving already? Where else could you begin to serve? Check on the needs of a homeless shelter, an after-school program, your church nursery, or various other ministries in your community. Wherever you serve, ask God to help you do it with humility and grace. Choose your favorite verse about serving and post it in a prominent place to remind you that God values servants.