THE DESIRE TO BE GREAT

MATTHEW 20:24-28 NKJ 
24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." 

OBSERVATION:

The context of this passage is James and John sending their mother to Jesus. They did not want to ask for themselves, so they let Mama do it. Evidently, being a helicopter parent existed long before our current generation.  

So, Mama asks if her boys could have the top spots in Jesus' kingdom. Jesus did not rebuke the family but explained it was not His call.  

When the other 10 disciples heard about their request, they were not happy. This jockeying for power was obviously a thing with the disciples. Who was the greatest and where did they rank was the source of many discussions and strife. 

So Jesus calls a staff meeting and speaks about their desire to be great. But Jesus has a different set of standards for greatness in His kingdom. 

In the kingdoms of the world, the desire to be great involves being elevated over people. Telling people what to do. Exercising authority on those who are beneath you. The disciples understood how the world's system worked, and no one wanted to be the low man on the totem pole.   

But as He frequently did, Jesus turned the tables on the disciples' thinking.   

To be great in His kingdom involved serving others. To be great, you position yourself as a servant, not as a master.   

Then Jesus uses Himself as the example of greatness in God's kingdom. His purpose in coming was to serve others and give His life as a ransom for the world. 

APPLICATION: 

Sadly, we still see people striving for greatness in God's kingdom by worldly standards. Abuse by those in spiritual authority happens way too often.   

The desire to be great is a desire that has to constantly be kept in check. Our human side wants to be number one. And we would much rather tell people what to do than be told.   

But we must go back to our example. Jesus came to serve and give, and His kingdom functions on servanthood, not selfishness.  

PRAYER: 

Thank you, Lord, for Your example of ultimate greatness. My heart is to be more like You.