Are You the Greatest?

In our world there is a constant challenge to be the greatest. In the world of sports this is highly visible. This year the University of Indiana won the national championship for college football. The University of Michigan won the national championship for men's college basketball and UCLA won the national championship for women's college basketball. Let's not leave out the Seattle Seahawks who won this year's Super Bowl. Rory Mcliroy won the Master's Golf Championship and this past weekend Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby.

And now as I write, both the NBA and NHL are in the playoffs to determine who is the greatest this year in those leagues.

Several years ago, Kenny Rogers released a song entitled "I Am the Greatest." It is about a young boy who, like many boys, takes his bat and ball outside while proclaiming that he is the greatest ball player. He throws the ball up in the air and swings his bat but misses the ball. He repeats this twice more. Each time his swing misses the ball and the song declares strike three. His mother calls him home for supper. As he heads home carrying his ball and bat, he says these words: "I am the greatest, that is a fact. But even I didn't know I could pitch like that."

From the youngest to the oldest there is always a challenge to become the greatest whether it be in sports, finances, politics, academics, or even family relationships. I have seen many men wearing a t-shirt with the message "Greatest Dad," "Greatest Husband," or "Greatest Grandpa."

Even the disciples of Jesus argued from time to time about which disciple among them was the greatest. James and John even approached Jesus and asked for the two top positions with Him when He would come into His kingdom (Mark 10:35-37) Of course, the other disciples were angry over the audacity of James and John - maybe they were also angry that they had not asked Jesus for the same benefit earlier than James and John.

We may all ask ourselves from time to time what it takes to be the greatest in whatever area of life we favor most. But Jesus' answer to James and John is not what we would expect. We might say that to be the greatest takes a lifetime of hard work, always moving forward, being in the right place at the right time, and perhaps a little bit of luck. But when Jesus gave His thoughts on greatness, He spoke of a totally different role or approach than the world lists.

"You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord

it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall

not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be

your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give

His life as a ransom for many."

Mark 10:42-45

Our calling as the followers of Jesus is not to make some earthly Hall of Fame as the greatest Christian, Bible teacher, preacher, or theologian of our time. Our calling to is serve even as Jesus served in humility and love. This is not serving to earn God's favor or bonus points for heaven. Rather, it is just being the people He redeemed us to be through His crucifixion and resurrection. We are not trying to make a name for ourselves; we are purposed with proclaiming Jesus to a lost and dying world by our love, our words, and our actions. We are not rulers or masters - we are servants of Jesus Christ serving Him by going where He sends us, by doing what He says to do, and by sharing His love wherever we go and with whomever we are with. The one who is truly the greatest is the one that we know as Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

May we all be found this week serving our Lord in this world in which He has placed us.