How should a Christian understanding of greatness affect my choices and behavior?
Matthew 23:12“But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Mark 9:33-35After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”
John 13:12-17After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”
Earthly praise doesn’t impress God. If we want to be praised as faithful servants in eternity, we must live as servants, seeking the needs of others first. Jesus washed his disciples’ dirty feet, which were caked with the dust of the road and the dung of animals. The task was disgusting, normally assigned to the lowest of servants. But Jesus saw that need, and he met it. If the great Son of God himself used his place of greatness to become a servant for others, we must do the same.
1 Samuel 18:3Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself.
When leaders measure themselves or others by worldly standards of greatness, they miss God’s will for them and their leadership. Jonathan, Saul’s son, was heir apparent to Israel’s throne, but that didn’t blind him to God’s plan. We see Jonathan’s greatness in the fact that he recognized and responded to the fact that God was giving the throne to David. Jesus said the first shall be last and the last first (Mark 9:35). This great reversal troubles many who follow the world’s way of thinking.
Matthew 3:11“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
John 3:30“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”
John the Baptist’s purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus. He became a well-known rabbi, readying Israel for the coming Messiah. When Jesus came, John redirected his followers to Jesus. Many of his disciples left to follow Jesus, but that was what John wanted. Because of his humility, those people came to know Jesus.
Matthew 11:11“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!”
Jesus himself praised John as the greatest man ever born—incredibly high praise. Yet Jesus also said the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John. Though John was given the honor of proclaiming Christ’s coming, we have been given the greater honor of proclaiming that Christ has already come. If we wish to be truly great, we should follow John’s example and point to our great Savior.
