True Greatness

True 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

Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.

1 Peter 5:6

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

John 3:30

Who do you think is the greatest sports star who ever competed? How about the greatest inventor? the greatest military strategist?

Can you imagine Jesus pointing you out as the greatest prophet of all time? That’s what Jesus said about John the Baptist, his cousin. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11).

What was it that made John the Baptist great? John was the first prophet who actually saw Jesus—the fulfillment of those prophecies—with his own eyes. Perhaps it was also something about the heart of John the Baptist that made him great. He said about Jesus: “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30). John wanted Jesus to become greater in other people’s eyes. He wanted Jesus to get greater attention, greater affection. He wanted more people to tune in to who Jesus is and the life he offers.

True greatness is found in wanting Jesus to shine brighter and be seen for who he is, rather than wanting people to see us as stars. The more we seek to shine the spotlight on Jesus instead of on ourselves, the more content we’ll be in who we are. It’s in humbling ourselves that we become great.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

In your opinion, who are some of the greatest people who ever lived? Why?

How can you intentionally humble yourself and “become less and less”?

How does humbling yourself show faith in God?