6 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Joshua 18-19
Psalms 149-150
Jeremiah 9
Matthew 23
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Matthew 23:11 (CSB): “The greatest among you will be your servant.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Is it wrong to desire to be great? Not according to Jesus!
If you go back and read the two verses that I have chosen for today, you’ll notice that Jesus did not forbid greatness. Instead, He told us how to be great.
Jesus essentially said: “Do you want to be great? Then pursue greatness by serving other people.”
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The fact that Jesus affirms our desire to be great is refreshing. Yet, we must understand that in following Him, we cannot pursue greatness by making up our own rules. He makes it clear that greatness can only be found as we look for how we can bless other people by our actions.
Listen as John Mark quoted Jesus on this topic …
Mark 10:42–45 (CSB): “Jesus called them over and said to them, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”
In those previous verses, we realize that Jesus didn’t simply command us to serve others in our pursuit of greatness, He demonstrated what it means to serve others. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can come into relationship with the Father.
Did His sacrificial act of service enable Him to be “great.” Well, friend, we’re still talking about him 2,000 years later.
Do you want to be seen as great by your peers? Do you want to be remembered long after your death? Then do what Jesus said. Strive for greatness by serving others.
Even unbelievers celebrate a firefighter who throws caution to the wind and runs into a burning house to save a resident. Society celebrates someone who spends their hard-earned money to help the less fortunate. On and on we could go.
Honestly, if you want to just type “heroes in the news” or something like that into a search engine, you’ll come up with story after story of heroes – and virtually every one of them will be stories of someone who gave (even sacrificially) to bless others.
When Jesus said that “the greatest among you will be your servant,” He was giving us the hidden keys to being great.
You want to live an ordinary life? Then live for yourself.
On the other hand, if you want to pursue greatness, live for others. Serve others. Bless others. Sacrifice if need be. In doing so, others will see you as great and you will have a happy satisfaction in your heart that only heroes experience.
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Lord Jesus, I want my life to count. Because you have told me how to be great, I want to be great. But, I want to do it on your terms. I know that You desire for those who follow You to make a big, positive, Gospel impact in this life. Help me to do that. Help me to realize that the way up is down and the way to greatness is found in serving others. By your strength and with your grace, I will do this. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 