Greatness According to the Chief Servantt
Greatness Through Servanthood: A Divine Paradox
In our pursuit of success and recognition, we often chase after positions of power and prestige. We yearn to be at the top, to have authority, and to be seen as important in the eyes of others. But what if true greatness lies in a completely different direction? What if the path to genuine significance is found not in climbing to the highest rung, but in kneeling to serve others?
This paradoxical concept of greatness through servanthood is at the heart of Jesus' teachings. In a pivotal moment recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, we see a striking example of how human ambition clashes with divine wisdom.
Picture the scene: Jesus and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem. The air is thick with anticipation, as the disciples believe they're on the cusp of seeing Jesus establish his earthly kingdom. In this charged atmosphere, the mother of James and John approaches Jesus with a bold request. Kneeling before him, she asks, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."
It's a moment that reveals so much about human nature. Here we see raw ambition, the desire for status and recognition, playing out before our eyes. The request isn't just for a place in the kingdom, but for the highest positions of honor. It's a grab for power, thinly veiled as devotion.
Jesus' response is both gentle and profound. "You don't know what you are asking," he tells them. He goes on to explain that the path to greatness in God's kingdom is not what they imagine. It's not about securing the best seats or having authority over others. Instead, it's about being willing to drink from the cup of suffering and sacrifice.
This exchange highlights a crucial truth: our human understanding of greatness is often at odds with God's perspective. We see greatness in terms of power, authority, and being served by others. God sees greatness in humility, sacrifice, and serving others.
Jesus doesn't rebuke the disciples for wanting to be great. Instead, he redirects their ambition, showing them the true path to greatness in God's kingdom. "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant," he declares, "and whoever wants to be first must be your slave."
This teaching turns our worldly notions upside down. In the kingdoms of this world, greatness is about having others serve you. In God's kingdom, greatness is about serving others. It's a complete inversion of the power structures we're accustomed to.
But Jesus doesn't just teach this principle – he embodies it. He presents himself as the ultimate example, saying, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Here we see the astounding humility of Christ. The King of Kings, the Lord of all creation, takes on the role of a servant. He washes his disciples' feet, he heals the sick, he feeds the hungry, and ultimately, he lays down his life for all of humanity.
This servanthood of Christ isn't a sign of weakness or inferiority. Rather, it's the highest expression of love and the truest demonstration of divine power. Through his sacrificial service, Jesus accomplishes what no earthly ruler ever could – he opens the way for humanity's reconciliation with God.
As followers of Christ, we're called to imitate this servanthood. But let's be honest – it's not easy. Our natural inclination is to look out for ourselves, to seek our own comfort and advancement. Serving others often comes at a cost. It might mean giving up our time, our resources, or our own desires. It might mean being inconvenienced or overlooked. It might even mean facing ridicule or persecution.
Yet, when we embrace this calling to servanthood, we find that it's the key to true fulfillment and impact. There's a joy in serving that can't be found in being served. There's a satisfaction in giving that surpasses any pleasure in receiving. And there's a profound influence that comes from humble service that outweighs any authority gained through position or power.
Consider the impact of those who have embraced this path of servant leadership throughout history. From Mother Teresa serving the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, to Martin Luther King Jr. sacrificing his life for the cause of justice and equality, to countless unnamed individuals who quietly serve their communities day in and day out – these are the ones who truly change the world.
The challenge for each of us is to examine our own hearts and motivations. Are we seeking greatness for our own glory, or for God's? Are we willing to serve even when it's inconvenient or costs us something? Are we ready to put others' needs before our own?
This doesn't mean we should never aspire to leadership roles or positions of influence. But it does mean that whatever position we find ourselves in, our primary orientation should be one of service. Whether we're leading a multinational corporation or volunteering at a local food bank, our question should always be, "How can I serve?"
As we embrace this mindset of servanthood, we'll find that it transforms not just our actions, but our entire perspective on life. We'll begin to see opportunities to serve everywhere we look. We'll find joy in lifting others up rather than elevating ourselves. And paradoxically, as we let go of our grasping for greatness, we'll find ourselves growing in true greatness – the kind that matters in God's economy.
So let's challenge ourselves to live out this radical call to servanthood. Let's look for ways to serve in our families, our workplaces, our churches, and our communities. Let's be willing to do the humble tasks, to put others first, to sacrifice our own comfort for the good of others. As we do, we may just find that in losing our lives in service, we gain something far greater – we find the life of true greatness that Christ offers.
In our pursuit of success and recognition, we often chase after positions of power and prestige. We yearn to be at the top, to have authority, and to be seen as important in the eyes of others. But what if true greatness lies in a completely different direction? What if the path to genuine significance is found not in climbing to the highest rung, but in kneeling to serve others?
This paradoxical concept of greatness through servanthood is at the heart of Jesus' teachings. In a pivotal moment recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, we see a striking example of how human ambition clashes with divine wisdom.
Picture the scene: Jesus and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem. The air is thick with anticipation, as the disciples believe they're on the cusp of seeing Jesus establish his earthly kingdom. In this charged atmosphere, the mother of James and John approaches Jesus with a bold request. Kneeling before him, she asks, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."
It's a moment that reveals so much about human nature. Here we see raw ambition, the desire for status and recognition, playing out before our eyes. The request isn't just for a place in the kingdom, but for the highest positions of honor. It's a grab for power, thinly veiled as devotion.
Jesus' response is both gentle and profound. "You don't know what you are asking," he tells them. He goes on to explain that the path to greatness in God's kingdom is not what they imagine. It's not about securing the best seats or having authority over others. Instead, it's about being willing to drink from the cup of suffering and sacrifice.
This exchange highlights a crucial truth: our human understanding of greatness is often at odds with God's perspective. We see greatness in terms of power, authority, and being served by others. God sees greatness in humility, sacrifice, and serving others.
Jesus doesn't rebuke the disciples for wanting to be great. Instead, he redirects their ambition, showing them the true path to greatness in God's kingdom. "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant," he declares, "and whoever wants to be first must be your slave."
This teaching turns our worldly notions upside down. In the kingdoms of this world, greatness is about having others serve you. In God's kingdom, greatness is about serving others. It's a complete inversion of the power structures we're accustomed to.
But Jesus doesn't just teach this principle – he embodies it. He presents himself as the ultimate example, saying, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Here we see the astounding humility of Christ. The King of Kings, the Lord of all creation, takes on the role of a servant. He washes his disciples' feet, he heals the sick, he feeds the hungry, and ultimately, he lays down his life for all of humanity.
This servanthood of Christ isn't a sign of weakness or inferiority. Rather, it's the highest expression of love and the truest demonstration of divine power. Through his sacrificial service, Jesus accomplishes what no earthly ruler ever could – he opens the way for humanity's reconciliation with God.
As followers of Christ, we're called to imitate this servanthood. But let's be honest – it's not easy. Our natural inclination is to look out for ourselves, to seek our own comfort and advancement. Serving others often comes at a cost. It might mean giving up our time, our resources, or our own desires. It might mean being inconvenienced or overlooked. It might even mean facing ridicule or persecution.
Yet, when we embrace this calling to servanthood, we find that it's the key to true fulfillment and impact. There's a joy in serving that can't be found in being served. There's a satisfaction in giving that surpasses any pleasure in receiving. And there's a profound influence that comes from humble service that outweighs any authority gained through position or power.
Consider the impact of those who have embraced this path of servant leadership throughout history. From Mother Teresa serving the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, to Martin Luther King Jr. sacrificing his life for the cause of justice and equality, to countless unnamed individuals who quietly serve their communities day in and day out – these are the ones who truly change the world.
The challenge for each of us is to examine our own hearts and motivations. Are we seeking greatness for our own glory, or for God's? Are we willing to serve even when it's inconvenient or costs us something? Are we ready to put others' needs before our own?
This doesn't mean we should never aspire to leadership roles or positions of influence. But it does mean that whatever position we find ourselves in, our primary orientation should be one of service. Whether we're leading a multinational corporation or volunteering at a local food bank, our question should always be, "How can I serve?"
As we embrace this mindset of servanthood, we'll find that it transforms not just our actions, but our entire perspective on life. We'll begin to see opportunities to serve everywhere we look. We'll find joy in lifting others up rather than elevating ourselves. And paradoxically, as we let go of our grasping for greatness, we'll find ourselves growing in true greatness – the kind that matters in God's economy.
So let's challenge ourselves to live out this radical call to servanthood. Let's look for ways to serve in our families, our workplaces, our churches, and our communities. Let's be willing to do the humble tasks, to put others first, to sacrifice our own comfort for the good of others. As we do, we may just find that in losing our lives in service, we gain something far greater – we find the life of true greatness that Christ offers.
Recent
Archive
2025
March
August
Categories
no categories
No Comments