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Greatness can be defined in many ways, and the world’s definition of greatness and Jesus’ definition are complete opposites. Greatness, in the world’s eyes, is about material possessions and accomplishments. Greatness from the world’s viewpoint is about all you can get, but Jesus said in Matthew 20:26-28, “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant;28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Jesus tells us that being great is about all you can give and sacrifice. Being great, according to Jesus, is to serve others.
We all want to be great. One way or another we all want to be somebody special – somebody who will make a big impact in this world. We are blown away by the demands of what it takes to be great in this world. We think we don’t have what it takes, but all of us can achieve greatness in the eyes of the Lord. We are all capable of serving others and giving what we have away to ensure the needs of those around us are met. D.L. Moody once said, “The beginning of greatness is to be LITTLE. The increase of greatness is to be LESS. The perfection of greatness is to be NOTHING.” What a powerful statement! Indeed, as Jesus taught, the road to greatness is achieved by self-sacrificing service to others.
About a week before the crucifixion of Jesus, Christ and his disciples were walking into Jerusalem. Jesus was explaining what would happen to Him over the course of the week. James and John didn’t seem to concerned about the sufferings of Christ. They were too intrigued wondering how they could be great. Jesus quickly defined greatness and says in Mark 10:31-45, “31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.”
James and John wanted to sit on the right and the left of Jesus. They thought that Jesus would have an earthly kingdom and be an earthly ruler. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. The other disciples were upset and displeased with James and John. Jesus goes on to say, “But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Jesus not only defined greatness, but He demonstrated it when he washes the disciples feet at the last supper. He said, “13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” We will be most happy when we give and serve others. We go through life grabbing and clinching our hands around whatever we feel we want and desire, but we must choose to open our hands and give away what we have. We must give ourselves away to be great. This is definitely not popular; however, it is the truth. Jesus goes on the cross to give his life as a ransom for us all! John 15:13 proclaims, “13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus was and is the greatest of all time. He is our example of greatness.
Here is C.J Mahaney’s definition of greatness from his excellent book Humility: True Greatness: “As sinfully and culturally defined, pursuing greatness looks like this: Individuals motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence, and a false sense of self-sufficiency to pursue selfish ambition for the purpose of self-glorification. Contrast that with the pursuit of true greatness as biblically defined: Serving others for the glory of God. This is the genuine expression of humility; this is true greatness as the Savior defined it.” Jesus completely redefined what greatness is and He demonstrated it with His life and His death, which is serving others to the glory of God. Let’s choose to be GREAT!
(Brandon Young is pastor of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church, Hampton)