This week’s devotions are based on Week 2 of Cross Examined: Who is the Greatest? (LISTEN HERE)
Greatness starts with attitude.
Luke 22:24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
Many would equate greatness with having an attitude of pride and arrogance. Great people often were seen as the ones with power and prestige. Greatness was determined by how much recognition and accolades you would receive.
Jesus turns the tables. “But you are not to be like that.”
“Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest,…”
So what does greatness and “young’ness” have to do with each other? Let’s look at another time the topic of greatness came up.
Matthew 18:1-4 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
It’s not the age, it’s the attitude.
“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Humility is hard because it stands opposed to the natural ego and pride that our sinful nature like to feed. Pride is fed when we feel we know it all, have all the answers and people need us more than we need them. Pride convinces us we are the greatest and deserve others service. Pride leads us to think we are better and more deserving than another.
“Not so with you,” Jesus would say.
Jesus changes the paradigm to teach us that humility is the sign of greatness, not pride.
So what does that mean? Since Jesus uses a child as an example, what are the characteristics of humility a child more naturally exhibits?
Trust. A child is trusting of their parents. Humility admits I need to rely on someone else. For the Christian we rely on, we trust in Jesus more than ourselves.
Curiosity. A child is always learning. Children want to know and want to learn. They don’t presume to know everything, but seek information and understanding. Humility understands I don’t know everything and don’t always have the information. Humility allows me to continue to learn and grow from my Savior and others around me.
Guidance. A child needs direction. They need instruction, correction, rebuke. Sure they don’t always like it, but they need it. Humility recognizes I need guidance and direction and yes at times correction and rebuke.
Put others first. A child is to respect others. Children are often taught to respect other children and adults. They recognize they live in a society with people around them and they are not the center of attention all the time. Humility puts others first, recognizing the world does not revolve around me.
Are children perfect at this? No. But some of the characteristics of children reflect that attitude of humility that Jesus promotes as the key to greatness. However, we would be remiss to not speak of the ultimate example and reflection of humility that we get the chance to learn from, our Savior Jesus.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
This is greatness! This is humility!
Apply: Where does pride show up in your life? How can you learn from Jesus and little children a stronger attitude of humility?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for humbling yourself to serve us. Forgive us for our arrogant pride and fill us with an attitude of humility so that we might be great in your kingdom. AMEN.