Want to Be Great in the Eyes of God?

Matthew 20:27: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave."

This verse presents to us the ultimate paradox in life, namely that the way to greatness is through submission to others (i.e. to be a servant). This practice runs counter to the prevailing philosophy of our world. Our culture is telling us that we should pursue our own desires, no matter how others are affected. Under the guise of "healthy competition," we see people brazenly trying to get all that they can for themselves, even if others are unfairly harmed in the selfish pursuit. So many today seem to be asserting their own "rights" and entitlements; and when these rights are not met, these people are seeking every means possible to remedy the situation. Our courts are filled with disgruntled people who insist that their rights are not being met.

Today, neighbor has risen up against neighbor to gain a personal advantage over him. Little interest is given to the ministry of service to others; it seems to be all about one's own quest for personal fulfillment and actualization. We even have reality television shows that promote the idol within us.

Christ's words are counter-cultural in that He says that the way to greatness is to become a minister of blessing to others. To renounce the popular notion of self-fulfillment in favor of placing the needs of others before one's self is greatness in the eyes of the One True God.

For those of us who have surrendered to the Lordship of Christ, we have the ultimate model of submission in Jesus Himself. Although He was surrounded by the myriad of heavenly hosts, worshipping Him around His heavenly throne, Jesus left that place to come to the earth. He suffered rejection and persecution at the hands of his creation (i.e. humanity) in order that He might offer to them the hope of salvation through His death and resurrection. This is love at its greatest (John 15:13). This is Greatness at its very best!

God is calling us to turn from the vain philosophy of self-actualization that this world purports and take up the cause of love by seeking the needs of others before ourselves. If we respond to this call by our Lord, we can be assured that God sees this as greatness.