Listening to Ray Davies, primary song writer and lead singer for the ‘60’s band, The Kinks, it becomes apparent that Davies has a deep love for his native land, England. Several of his songs lend to the impression that he things Great Britain is one of the best places, if not the best place, of all times.
More locally, there is a fast food restaurant chain in Texas that has the tag line, “[Restaurant}—that’s what I like about Texas.” The ads all focus on the restaurant and nothing else about Texas, which leads me to wonder, is that all a person can think about in Texas to like? I mean, honestly, Texas is one of the proudest states in the United States, and for it all to come down to is that Texas is best because we can get a Beltbuster isn’t really a valid reason to laud a state as the best.
It’s been my observation that we like to say that we are part of the best, whether it’s our nation, our state, our school—any group we associate with is the greatest. Have you ever noticed Facebook on Mother’s Day? Everyone’s mom is the greatest mom in the world. Inherently, that’s can’t be the case, but everyone thinks their mom is the best.
Who is best and greatest is a question that is raised in the Bible, as well, and the Bible isn’t afraid to give a broad picture about who is great and what makes them great.
What Jesus Has to Say about Greatness
When John the Baptist was in prison, he sent his followers to ask if Jesus really was the One, or if they should be looking for another Messiah. After assuring John of Who He is, Jesus then made this statement to the crowd at large: “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not been anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11). According to Jesus, John the Baptist was the greatest ever to be born, but he was not nearly as great as the least of the kingdom of heaven.
Who are these “least in the kingdom of heaven?” The kingdom of heaven is what Jesus came to proclaim and to establish, so it is reasonable to interpret Jesus’ words as those who are committed to Him and have a right relationship with Him are greater than John the Baptist.
Yet, even in this statement, Jesus doesn’t say who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
The disciples asked Him repeatedly who would be the greatest in Jesus’ kingdom. Their mistake was in thinking Jesus’ kingdom would be an earthly kingdom, never understanding until after Jesus’ resurrection that the kingdom is of God, not of the earth.
Once, in response to the disciples’ argument about who would be greatest, Jesus brought a small child to stand beside Him. “Whoever welcomes this little child welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the one who sent Me. For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest” (Luke 9:48). Elsewhere, in a similar setting, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4).
The point Jesus was making is that greatness in the kingdom of heaven comes not through doing great things or by becoming a recognized leader of men. Instead, greatness in the kingdom comes from service, from humility and from a complete dependence on God, much as a child depends on the parent for their food and shelter.
At a later date, John and James, two brothers who were part of the disciples, asked Jesus to give them the places of honor in His kingdom. When the other disciples heard about it, they were “indignant.” Jesus then told all 12 disciples, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25-28).
Jesus’ Example
Jesus set the example of service throughout His life. But the most resounding example of His service came on the night He was to be betrayed. Jesus already knew the time had come, and He knew that time with the disciples was down to just a few precious hours. There was still so much they needed to learn and hear, but time was short.
The custom of the day was for guests at a home have their feet washed. The washing of feet was considered so menial that Jewish slaves were exempted from having to wash the feet of the master’s guests.
As the disciples and Jesus gathered in the upper room for their meal, Jesus got up from the table, removed His outer clothing, took a basin of water and a towel and began washing the disciples’ feet. The Bible doesn’t say how the disciples reacted, except for Peter, but it is not hard to imagine that the room became so quiet as Jesus made the rounds around the table, washing each disciple’s feet, even Judas, the one who would betray Him later that night.
After washing their feet, Jesus put on His outer garment, and resumed His place at the head of the table.
“Do you understand what I have done for you? You call Me, ‘Teacher,’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13:12b-17).
Conclusion
Jesus taught with His words and with His actions what it means to be great in His kingdom. Entrance into the kingdom comes by having a faith in Him as Savior and Lord, and that faith is one that builds on a relationship with God through Christ and the Holy Spirit.
What’s the greatest state, the greatest nation, the greatest anything? Does it really matter? As Jesus told His disciples once, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in the book of life” (Luke 10:20).
Greatness comes in walking humble obedience to God. Then, it doesn’t matter who gets to be called greatest. All that matters is that we are His.
© 2020 Glynn Beaty