The above quote is by,
William Arthur Ward,
an American motivational writer.
Preface
From the world’s standard or better yet, how has the United States of America, defined the term greatness? Is it our mental powers; our athletic prowess, is it our wealth, our military power, education, our political and social ideology?
The United States of America’s perception of greatness is a by-product of aspirations, devotion, economic, scientific, social, religious, and political human experiment, that over its short history is both an expression of greatness and disappointments.
To be a citizen of the United States of America means to embrace a set of ideas that are the core values of the form of government called Democracy: a belief in equality, a belief in participation, a belief in the Rule of Law, a belief in the respect for others rights.
[Comments in the preface were taken from these sources: How Americans First Defined Greatness-The Hill, Jane Hampton Cook, Opinion Contributor, and ‘What Does ‘Make America Great Again’ Mean? It’s Time We Had This Debate, Jonathan Koppell, Opinion Contributor, AZ Central]
The focus of this blog post is not political. My intention of writing this blog is to explore the spiritual teaching of Jesus of Nazareth’s definition of greatness in the hope that we dare to be “Great” in our current culture, may live and express Kingdom principles in our secular nation.
The Discipline of Service
“As the Cross is the sign of Submission, so the Towel is the sign of Service” -Richard Foster
Gathered at the Passover feast, Jesus’ disciples were having trouble deciding who among them were the greatest. Luke 9:46 Having lived out servanthood before them, He called His disciples to the way of service: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you”. John 13:14,15
There is a somewhat unspoken inner reality associated with the quest for greatness. Whenever there is trouble over who is the greatest, there is also trouble over who is the least. Most of us realize that in our living, we will never be the greatest, but we will do all that we can do [legally or illegally] to not be the least.
The call of Jesus in many ways is much easier when we deny a father and mother, houses and land for the Gospel than for us to become a slave by washing the feet of another human being! Within the spiritual discipline of service, the Master knew that in the willful submission of service, parts of “Self-life,” and pride would die.
The Master’s intention before His crucifixion was to completely redefine greatness and rearrange the lines of authority. He never taught that everyone had equal authority. Jesus’ purpose was to redefine the spiritual difference of authority in the Kingdom as opposed to the world systems.
The authority that Jesus lived and taught was not an authority of manipulation and control over human lives. It was an authority of functioning on behalf of humanity, not a social/political position or status.
Rank in the Kingdom
“But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not so among you, but whoever wished to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28
The above Scripture first sheds light upon the difference of God’s kingdom from the kingdoms of the world. Those earthly kingdoms are over men’s bodies and estates, while God’s spiritual kingdom, reigns over the hearts and consciences of men.
The spiritual Kingdom that the Son of Man implemented was a kingdom of glory, where there would be no need of rulers and magistrates, as in the government of the world, nor any such exercise of authority as is here exercised in the government of earthly kingdoms and politics.
Jesus also by His faithful demonstration of servanthood, wish to condemn ambition and pride in his disciple’s character. The need for renewed spiritual transformation was a requirement to make them fit for this kingdom to come. The way to becoming the greatest in The Kingdom of Heaven is to be humble, to become low, and meek in our own eyes while living in the world.
Service and Humility
The Master’s teaching and demonstration of servanthood is our spiritual blueprint into the grace of humility. There is no other way in which humility will manifest within our witness but by the discipline of service. Perhaps it is an unspoken truism that believers do not obtain humility by seeking after it.
According to Richard J. Foster, of all the classical Spiritual Disciplines, service is the most conducive to the growth of humility. When we set out on a consciously chosen course of action that accents the good of others and is, for the most part, a hidden work, a deep change occurs in our spirits.
The spiritual therapeutic impact of true hidden service crucifies our known or unknown pride and arrogance. The apostle John writes, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world“. 1 John 2:16.
The lust of the flesh refers to the failure to discipline natural human passions. The lust of the eyes refers to the tendency to be captivated by outward show/materialism, while the pride of life is our pretentious egoism.
Definition
According to Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible, defines humility: gentleness [fruit of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23]. Secondly, the term affliction defines humility, which confirms the warring impact that the discipline of service plays upon our flesh, pride, and self-life.
The finished work that the spiritual discipline of service has on our souls is that a disciple of the Master can possess a genuine sense of gratitude without arrogance. The very essence of humility is having a modest view of one’s self while being grounded in the very nature of God. To be humble, a person has faith that God will lead them in the best way to live while protecting us throughout our journey.
Jesus gave us a new norm of greatness. By His example, He assists us to recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Jesus taught that the drive to be great is an admirable instinct when greatness is evaluated by how much one serves others.
Practical Function
The purpose of service is so God can reach others through our hands. In II Cor. 9:12-13, the Bible says that the service we provide not only meets needs but expresses thanks to God and leads others to praise God.
The Bible also says that service builds up the “body of Christ.” (See Eph. 4:12.) In I Cor. 12, the Bible explains that there are different kinds of service (v. 4) and then identifies many ways to provide service to others.
Moral Significance
The Bible emphasizes the importance of providing service to others. When asked how to inherit eternal life, Jesus indicated that the two key points were loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself. (See Luke 10:27.)
The parable of “The Good Samaritan” is a good example of how the person who loves his neighbor is the one who provides service to him (see Luke 10:25-37). Everyone is your neighbor and you love your neighbor by providing him service when he is in need.
Historical and Prophetic Warning
The Bible contains roughly 30 references to God’s concern for the widow and the orphan (or fatherless) as well as multiple references to His concern for the alien (see Zechariah 7:10). Widows, orphans, and aliens were the most vulnerable members of society and God expects His people to provide them with service (see Deuteronomy 24:19 for an example).
God will pass judgment on those who fail to provide service for the most vulnerable members of society, as shown in Mal. 3:5. [Source: What Does the Bible Say About Service? CONTRIBUTING WRITER, CLASSROOM]
“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Dr. Martin L. King Jr.
Closing Sentiments
The Master redefine greatness and rearrange the lines of authority. The authority that Jesus lived and taught was not an authority of manipulation and control over human lives. It was an authority of functioning on behalf of humanity, not a social/political position or status.
Jesus wishes to condemn ambition and pride in His disciple’s character. The need for renewed spiritual transformation was a requirement to make them/us fit for this inner Kingdom reign in the present age, and the eternal Kingdom to come.
The Master’s teaching and demonstration of servanthood is our spiritual blueprint into the grace of humility. There is no other way in which humility will manifest within our witness but by the Discipline of Service. Perhaps it is an unspoken truism that believers do not obtain humility by seeking after it, because it is a by-product of the Holy Spirit of God.
The finished work that the spiritual discipline of service has on our souls is that a disciple of the Master can possess a genuine sense of gratitude without arrogance. The very essence of humility is having a modest view of one’s self while being grounded in the very nature of God as a willful servant in this age, and the Kingdom age to come. Amen
Grace and Peace
Brother Alonzo
Additional Research Material: Holy Scripture; The Discipline of Service, Richard J. Foster. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth.
This blog post is taken from my notes for my Walking in the Messiah Biblical Discipleship study group.