True Greatness

Scripture:
Luke 9:48, “and said to them, ‘Whoever receives this child in my receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this one is the one who is great.’”
 
Observation:
In the context of this verse, the disciples had been arguing amongst themselves about who was the greatest. I suppose that was a normal discussion in some ways. If Jesus was about to die, then they needed to know who the next leader would be. But the way they determined greatness was apparently on an external, human, natural scale — who was most powerful, popular, or possibly wealthy or handsome. They all boastfully put forth their own merits and at the same time diminished the value and worth of all their “competitors.” In the midst of their argument Jesus threw them a complete curve ball.  It’s as if he said, “You want to know who the greatest is, then let me give you a real measure of greatness.” So he brought in a child — a person who as a “nobody” in their culture — and he basically said whoever gives time to a “nobody,” that one is the greatest. In God’s grading system, greatness isn’t determined by how many people serve you, but by how many people you serve. To be great in God’s eyes is to humble yourself before God by learning to serve others.
 
Application:
God’s way of determining greatness is so contrary to our culture and my nature. Like the disciples I am tempted to measure myself against other people and use the same standards they used to establish my own place in the pecking order in my mind. This scripture doesn’t tell me not to strive for greatness, but it does totally contradict and correct the way I measure greatness and go about trying to achieve it. Jesus is telling me to learn to humble myself and welcome and serve those my culture sees as having no way of doing anything for me. To call them “nobody” may be too strong, but He seems to be saying learn to serve people who are nobody who could do anything for you. I think of those who are most dependent like a child and I think of kids, the handicapped, orphans, widows, the homeless, illegal immigrants, the sick and the incarcerated. To serve these people is sometimes hard — it requires time, energy, and gets no recognition from others usually. But it is the very thing that catches the attention of God. God marks greatness by our Christ-likeness. Jesus received children, ministered to the poor, the sick, the needy and the outcast. I can strive for greatness on one of two tracks. The world’s way says the way to be great is to make much of me and diminish the value of others. Jesus’ way to greatness says make less of me and make more of others by learning to welcome and serve them.
 
Prayer:
Lord you know serving the “least of these” around me does not come naturally for me. Father I fight the flesh in regard to wanting my life to count and add value, but I am tempted to measure my value and perceived greatness in the wrong way. Would you grow in me a greater love for the poor, the hurting, the sick, the overlooked, and the left out. Lord teach me to decrease while I allow you to increase in my life. Open my eyes today to the “child” you will put in front of me. Help me to lose myself in serving them.  Purify my desire. May I serve to be like Christ alone and not to be noticed by others.

— Chip Henderson, senior pastor