July 26: Who's the greatest?

Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. Jesus told them, "In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called 'friends of the people.' But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.”    (Luke 22:24-27 — New Living Translation)

Jesus’ team of twelve men discussed the subject of their rank on several occasions. They seemed to think that Jesus was going to be an earthly king, and were concerned about their positions in that kingdom, and argued over who would occupy the most powerful posts. Yet each time Jesus caught them speaking this way He turned the tables on them by saying that their attitudes were of worldly kingdoms and earthly rulers, and that His kingdom was different. The greatest in God's world are those who serve others. Jesus gave Himself as an example; He was always serving them — at that moment He was serving them the Passover meal, and while they were arguing about who was the greatest He was preparing to be arrested and crucified for the world’s sins and mistakes.

Pride and selfish ambition are toxic to the Church. Wanting to do your very best for God is a good thing. Wanting good things for your family, and wanting the Church to grow are good things. But wanting to be better or have a higher position than those around you is not. Thinking that you’re better, and that you deserve better things than those around you is not right. We must all keep learning this lesson of the Lord Jesus throughout our lives — not just once, but over and over again. We should have the desire to help as many people as we can, lead them to God, and help them to be bold in their faith. The greatest in God's kingdom is the one who serves others. 

This is difficult for us to understand because it’s the exact opposite of what goes on in the world. Only those who have God’s nature, who’ve been born of God, can agree with and apply this important teaching of Jesus. In another place Jesus said, “and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else” (Mark l0:44).