DAILY DEVOTION, Oct. 14, 2021

The greatest among you will be your servant ( Matthew 23:11).

Often the teachings of Jesus are in opposition to the ways of the world. That is certainly true in the above verse. When we humans think of greatness, we think that those who have many underlings doing their bidding are the great ones. The President of the United States has hundreds of servants who do his bidding. Does that make him great? The CEO of a large corporation is surrounded by servants who will always respond, “Yes sir.” Does that make him great?

Jesus defines greatness in terms of servanthood. Those who are great in the eyes of God serve others. Jesus is the premier example. Yes, He is the Son of God. Yes, he has many servants. However, His greatness is revealed in His service to others. His greatness is revealed in the cross.

In God’s kingdom, greatness is measured by the service we perform. You may be regarded as very ordinary by the world, but as you serve others you are considered “great” in the kingdom of God. When you feed the hungry, when you share Jesus with another, when you give a few dollars to help a missionary, you are one of God’s great ones.

Father, You certainly have a way of turning things upside down!  I know I will never be considered great in the eyes of the world, and that’s okay. By your definition, greatness is when we serve others. So help me to be a person who sees needs and reaches out to help. In Jesus’ name, Amen.