Don’t we have just as much trouble accepting Jesus’ instruction about ‘greatness’ as the apostles did? Become like a child… Be the least… Become the servant of all… Sell all your possessions… Be willing to be last… What kind of teaching is this?
Jesus might answer: ‘You must accept My Father’s way; He does not think like man does. Faith is His requirement… and one cannot really trust God when he is full of self. To gain, one must give up. To be strong, one must become weak. To be victorious, one must surrender. Did I not follow My Father’s path? I am Lord, yet I came to earth as a child. I am King, yet I became a servant. I am omnipotent, yet I laid down My life for all mankind. Now My Father has given Me the Name above names and I am inviting you to follow Me.’
Even a person who seems to be last when chosen must be changed. The fishermen had no wealth or prominence when they were called, but their desire to be ‘the greatest’ was often evident. Though they saw the glory of the Lord, witnessed His miracles, and walked with the Master, competition often raised its ugly head. At His last Passover meal, Jesus revealed the deep meaning of the Bread and the Wine… “Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them.” (Luke 22:24)
Saul of Tarsus had a different background. He was a Pharisee of Pharisees… brilliant, zealous, and confident. But he had no hope without Jesus. The King revealed Himself, blinded his eyes, and filled a penitent man with the Holy Spirit. (see Acts 9) Then, as the ‘new creation,’ Paul began his decline into true greatness. “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things…” (Philippians 3:8)
Who boasts like Paul today? Who cries: ‘Come! Follow Jesus and lose everything! Become of no reputation; be despised and rejected by others; be misunderstood; be the least…’? But Paul saw the Way: “I consider all these things garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” (Philippians 3:9)
None of us have hope without Jesus. Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Paul trusted Him and came to understand God’s greatness. Our Lord and Savior is the Way!
“The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12
“He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18:2-4
I won’t write next week as we celebrate a holiday… Happy Thanksgiving!