On Monday, 18th July, South Africa will celebrate the birth of an icon-Nelson Mandela. He has been described on radio this week as “the man who turned the world around.” Oprah Winfrey was once again inducted into Time 100’s list of most influential persons to have affected the 20th century. Muhammad Ali once declared: “I am the greatest!” In summary, there have been and will no doubt, continue to be many influential and great people in this world. However, what are the hallmarks of true greatness? This question has been the source of debate since the days that Jesus walked the earth.
In Luke 9, Jesus had delivered a young boy of demon possession. The disciples could not cast out the demon because of their unbelief and so the boy was brought to Jesus Himself. After having witnessed Jesus casting out the demon, everyone marveled at His power, but the disciples still argued among themselves about which of them was the greatest. They did this even after Jesus spoke of his demise at the hands of men; they were bold in the shade of His protection and thought only of themselves. Jesus taught them that those with childlike faith would be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
In Luke 22:10-30, we come to the scenes of the Passover. The first Communion service was celebrated by Jesus with His disciples on the eve of the Passover. While He spoke of his betrayal and death, they argued amongst themselves regarding who among them should be accounted the greatest. Jesus then contrasted the greatness of the world’s leaders with true greatness, saying that whoever wished to be great should take the position of a servant.
A person of true greatness does not laud it over others or publicly and arrogantly express it. A person of true greatness does not derive his greatness from the empty flattery coming from the praise of lying lips, but rather he seeks his praise from God who when he testifies of His servants, does not lie.
True greatness can only be found in following in the footsteps of Christ. You can only find yourself when in Christ, you lose yourself. True greatness comes from desiring His Name to be known and not your own.
"And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth."-Luke 22:15-27
Scripture refs: Also read Luke 9:42-48 and John 13
