WHO IS THE GREATEST?
Adapted from the book True Christianity by Dr. Paul Caram
Is a man great because of his works and legacy or is it because of something else? In the account mentioned in the book of Mark chapter 10, one gets to think of what James and John could have already accomplished for them to ask Jesus if they could sit beside Him when He is enthroned. As for the rest of the disciples, they were greatly displeased with what the two had asked.
In this day and age, being great (or popular) is nothing new. In fact, a lot of people today are doing things so that they could be recognized. Politicians make projects ensuring that their names are written on each accomplishment. There is a tendency to look for one's name being listed or mentioned in some popular place or show. To be mentioned first would be even better.
As a response to the disciples' concerns, Jesus gave two profound and unexpected requirements for them to achieve greatness: 1) humble yourself as a child (Matthew 18:4) and 2) become the servant of all (Matthew 20:26). These two things are considered impractical and unattractive as men are naturally inclined to pursue selfish interests.
"I" should be the one being served.
"I" should be respected.
"My" wants should be fulfilled.
"I" am not your servant.
"I" am not paid to do that for you.
It is not "my" obligation to do that.
The world in general wants a position, a title, a great name, a mansion, a fancy car, a servant, fancy gadgets and someone to wait upon them. In contrast, the Lord teaches the opposite of this such that whoever wants to be great must be a servant (Matthew 20:26).
Politicians, newsmen or even some ministers in many instances are set up as celebrities having huge salaries and are sometimes hard to approach as they are heavily guarded. Nevertheless, servanthood will be the one to bring us up to greatness.
In the Bible, we can find a few characters whose names were not popular and yet had significant contributions:
These are just a few of the people whom we don't usually consider as great men and women of the Bible and yet had great roles. We may consider them to have little contributions and yet they had such huge influence in history. Therefore, let us not consider the things that we do to be too small and insignificant. Besides, big things start from small beginnings.
Our age or status in life should not be a hindrance for us to serve others. As long as we are able, let us endeavor to help and serve those who are in need.
In Luke 6:38 it says, "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Not long ago a secular survey revealed that the happiest people are those who take time helping and caring for others. The same survey showed that the selfish people, people who are looking out only for themselves, and are unwilling to be inconvenienced by others are almost never happy.
He was totally unselfish. Genuine love is unselfish. He is easy to get along with. He does not choose who to reach out to: the Samaritan woman, the lame, the sick, the blind, the lepers. He is never moody, easily offended or demanding. He never insisted to have His own way. He is very understanding and very forgiving. He holds no bitterness.
Some of the examples and instructions that Jesus left during His life:
Acts 20:35 –“...‘ It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Luke 23:28 –“... Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”
Mark 10:45 –“...For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
John 6:38 - “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
Matthew 26:29 - “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.”
John 10:17 - “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again."
Matthew 16:24-25 - “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
In Mark 10:35-45, it details the conversation of Jesus, James, John and the rest of the apostles. They are asking the Lord who among them will sit beside Him when He goes to heaven.
What does it mean to be great?
Is a man great because of his works and legacy or is it because of something else? In the account mentioned in the book of Mark chapter 10, one gets to think of what James and John could have already accomplished for them to ask Jesus if they could sit beside Him when He is enthroned. As for the rest of the disciples, they were greatly displeased with what the two had asked.
In this day and age, being great (or popular) is nothing new. In fact, a lot of people today are doing things so that they could be recognized. Politicians make projects ensuring that their names are written on each accomplishment. There is a tendency to look for one's name being listed or mentioned in some popular place or show. To be mentioned first would be even better.
As a response to the disciples' concerns, Jesus gave two profound and unexpected requirements for them to achieve greatness: 1) humble yourself as a child (Matthew 18:4) and 2) become the servant of all (Matthew 20:26). These two things are considered impractical and unattractive as men are naturally inclined to pursue selfish interests.
"I" should be the one being served.
"I" should be respected.
"My" wants should be fulfilled.
"I" am not your servant.
"I" am not paid to do that for you.
It is not "my" obligation to do that.
The world in general wants a position, a title, a great name, a mansion, a fancy car, a servant, fancy gadgets and someone to wait upon them. In contrast, the Lord teaches the opposite of this such that whoever wants to be great must be a servant (Matthew 20:26).
Politicians, newsmen or even some ministers in many instances are set up as celebrities having huge salaries and are sometimes hard to approach as they are heavily guarded. Nevertheless, servanthood will be the one to bring us up to greatness.
In the Bible, we can find a few characters whose names were not popular and yet had significant contributions:
- the woman Rahab who hid the two spies of Joshua's army before they attacked Jericho;
- the nameless messenger who brought the good news to King David;
- the servant of Abraham who had a great impact in the history of Israel as he was the one who looked for Isaac’ s bride and
- the nephew of the Apostle Paul who informed him about the plot to kill him.
These are just a few of the people whom we don't usually consider as great men and women of the Bible and yet had great roles. We may consider them to have little contributions and yet they had such huge influence in history. Therefore, let us not consider the things that we do to be too small and insignificant. Besides, big things start from small beginnings.
Our age or status in life should not be a hindrance for us to serve others. As long as we are able, let us endeavor to help and serve those who are in need.
Who are the happiest people?
In Luke 6:38 it says, "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Not long ago a secular survey revealed that the happiest people are those who take time helping and caring for others. The same survey showed that the selfish people, people who are looking out only for themselves, and are unwilling to be inconvenienced by others are almost never happy.
What makes Jesus the greatest servant of all?
He was totally unselfish. Genuine love is unselfish. He is easy to get along with. He does not choose who to reach out to: the Samaritan woman, the lame, the sick, the blind, the lepers. He is never moody, easily offended or demanding. He never insisted to have His own way. He is very understanding and very forgiving. He holds no bitterness.
Some of the examples and instructions that Jesus left during His life:
Acts 20:35 –“...‘ It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Luke 23:28 –“... Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”
Mark 10:45 –“...For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
John 6:38 - “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
Matthew 26:29 - “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.”
John 10:17 - “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again."
Matthew 16:24-25 - “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
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