KINGDOM GREATNESS
Matthew 20:24-28 NKJV
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."
As I am writing this, the Olympics are taking place in Paris. The Olympics are the time when, every four years, Americans become intensely interested in sports that are typically ignored. I mean, who watches track and field, gymnastics, and synchronized swimming at any other time? Although synchronized swimming is a bit of a stretch even at the Olympics.
What draws us in to watch? Partly, it's because it's America against the world. And partly because there is something in us that is drawn toward excellence and greatness. Olympic athletes often labor in obscurity and incur huge debts simply to pursue an Olympic dream. And their greatness speaks to us.
In our verses for today, that push for greatness has shown up in Jesus' disciples. So much so that James and John had their mother ask for exalted positions in Christ's Kingdom for her two boys, and it made the other ten disciples angry. The scriptures say, "greatly displeased," but we could take that to mean sincerely ticked off. Jesus did not rebuke the mother for asking for her sons. And He did not rebuke James and John for their selfish request. What Jesus did was redefine greatness in His Kingdom.
Greatness in God's Kingdom is not the same as greatness in the kingdoms of man. In man's kingdom, the great ones are the gold medal winners and the ones who rule over those under their authority. Greatness is reserved for the alphas and the most powerful. Greatness in man's kingdom are the top dogs, the ones out in front. But God's Kingdom does not operate the same as man's kingdom. In God's Kingdom, Jesus is King and is the top one, the exalted one. No one will ever replace or surpass Him. And not only is He the one we worship, but also the one we follow. His example of service was meant to be a pattern for us to emulate. And Jesus did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for us.
Jesus defined greatness in His Kingdom as the one who serves others. Even the people Jesus had around Him, who helped Him, did it in order to help Jesus serve and bless the people. Jesus did not come to dominate, but to liberate. And He explained to His disciples that this servant's motive and heart perspective was what was prized in the Kingdom of God.
APPLICATION
The question we must ask ourselves is, what has God called and equipped me to do in His Kingdom? But ask that question knowing that ultimately, everyone winds up in the same place, serving others.
Our challenge today is that we live in a celebrity culture. We think the great ones are the most visible. But in God's Kingdom there are scores of unknown servants who are serving others and showing themselves to be Kingdom great. And when we stand before the Lord on that day, it will be what we did for Him in serving others that will be rewarded. So, a big surprise of the next life is that it will not be the beautiful and talented who are recognized but the ones who helped others with a beautiful heart, a servant's heart.
PRAYER
Lord, show me where I am equipped to serve You and others. And by Your grace, I will pursue Kingdom greatness.