Monday, September 24, 2012

Reflection: Guaranteed Greatness (September 23, 2012)

The 17th Sunday after Pentecost
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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