Luke 9: 46-48 The servant of all

The Greatest in the Kingdom

46Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. 47But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. 48Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalfⁱ welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”

I’m always uncomfortable with this. I know what God is saying. He is saying that servitude, as he served us, is the hallmark of true greatness. Never thinking you are too important for a job or that someone else should serve you instead of the other way around. It is obvious and extremely powerful.

My fear is that I think God has put me in positions of leadership and I know the leading is only a small step away from lording over. I understand that ideally a great leader is so absorbed in being a servant and so humbled by the honor of being a leader that he is miles and miles away from “lording over” people. But I have seen many a good person traverse those miles without even the slightest sense that they did it.

So let’s all remind each other and watch each other to follow this simple rule: Greatness is servitude, and servitude is greatness.

Holy Spirit, when I stray from the path of selfless servitude, tackle, trip, beat me up, break me down – do whatever it takes, to bring me back to the path Jesus is always on so I can walk with him.

So, you’re telling me I get to play linebacker if that’s what you need? That’s cool, but I’d rather we just be traveling companions.