Jeremiah 11:18-20; James 3:13-4:10; Mark 9:30-37
Watch
any world class sporting event and you’re bound to see athletes who have
achieved greatness — and many more aspiring to greatness. Even at the highest
levels of competition, most of the athletes participating will fade into
obscurity. Despite their natural talent, whole-hearted dedication, and lifetimes of training, nothing guarantees even the best athletes that they will be great
— let alone the greatest — in their sport or event. Imagine what would happen
if a coach came along who could honestly guarantee an athlete greatness. How
much money could he or she demand? How many athletes would be contending with
one another to have this person as their trainer? How inspired and motivated
would those fortunate enough to be under this coach’s leadership be? What would
people be willing to do for guaranteed greatness?
Of
course, no one can guarantee greatness in the world of sports. In fact, no one
can guarantee greatness in business, academics, science, medicine, or any other
sphere of human activity. But there is one exception to this rule. There is one
person who can guarantee greatness. However, the greatness that this person
guarantees isn’t a greatness that most people want. It’s not becoming a
superstar in sports or a Nobel laureate or a wealthy business person. But it’s
a greatness that will long outlast and far outweigh any worldly greatness.
Jesus
guarantees greatness. So, why aren’t people flocking to Jesus as they would a
coach who could guarantee them greatness in sports? Why aren’t people competing
to be under His leadership? Why are so many of His followers unmotivated and
uninspired when it comes to following His way to certain greatness. It’s
because Jesus doesn’t guarantee the greatness that we want. Instead, He offers
us a greatness that contradicts earthly greatness. Even less appealing to us is
the way to this greatness: “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very
last, and the servant of all.” Spiritual greatness through self-sacrifice,
humility, and serving others may not be the greatness that we desire, but it is
the greatness that is guaranteed by Jesus, who served us in humility and
offered Himself as the sacrifice for our sins to free us from death and make us
great in His Kingdom.
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