MARK 10:42-45 – And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “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.”

THEME OF THE DAY. THE MEASURE OF GREATNESS. Think with me how the world defines “greatness.” Here is my contribution to our list; accumulation of wealth, high social status, educational achievements, vocational advancement, popularity, early retirement, and successful child-rearing are just a few off the top of my head. Now, let’s move into a narrower field – defining contemporary Christian success. I didn’t say, “defining Biblical success”. Sadly, there is much out in the contemporary Christian world that is used to measure “spiritual success” that lacks Biblical support. It even is anti-Biblical. Here are a few from my observation; size of a church, numbers of books or songs an author or musician has written and performed, and how popular someone is on the speaking, concert, and conference circuits. I am certain each of you may add to the list of “Christian success” measuring tools. But then we come to today’s words from Jesus. And in the words of the Lord, there is only one thing, one role, He recognizes as the true measure of greatness – servanthood.

There is so much to be said on this topic, but let’s restrict ourselves to three reasons why true Christian greatness is measured by servanthood.

First, our servant role is the measurement of greatness because it makes us like the Greatest Servant ever – the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing is of greater importance in the life of a Christian than conforming to the image of Jesus. Let that be the ultimate measure of greatness – becoming more and more like the Servant of Servants.

Another way our servanthood is the measure of Christian greatness is how it delights the heart of God. Is there really anything greater in our lives than bringing pleasure to the heart of God? No. There isn’t. Remember how Jesus lived on the earth. He did so to bring glory to His Father, to please Him in all things. Toward the completion of His mission to earth, our Lord prayed to His Father, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do” (John 17:4). Picture God the Father watching and walking with His Son on His earthly mission. It was a look of delight and pleasure as He observed Him fulfilling His will. And now think of us. Would not the Father take such pleasure in us, too, as we walk the path of servanthood like His Son? Here is true greatness – living a life pleasing God as His servant. Start looking at being a servant of Christ as the way to bring delight to the heart of God. Such thinking will revolutionize our Christianity.

The final way our servanthood measures our greatness is that it takes us down the path to our greatest enjoyment – serving others. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The most miserable people in all the world are selfish people. Conversely, the most joyful of people are the selfless; the ones who know the call to follow Christ is a call to die to self – daily and completely. And that is a great life!

So, when evaluating ourselves and “greatness”, don’t let the world or Christian culture do this necessary work. Let the Lord Jesus have the final say, “He that would be great among you, must be your servant.”

PRAYER: “Father, help me to live as one privileged to serve, not deceived to think I am to be served.”

QUOTE: “The greatest in a person is not in what they achieve in life but in what they give in life.”