True Greatness

 

[Jesus said] “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” (John 15:12-17 ESV).

 

As I mentioned yesterday, true greatest is found in service to others. This is the impact of Jesus’ teaching in our reading today. The disciples were in a discussion of who among them would be the greatest in the coming kingdom. With infinite patience Jesus responds to His disciples' strife. He reminds them they are thinking the way worldly people do. They were striving for recognition and self-promotion. The real “kings” needed to play the role of “pawns.” It would not be as if they had no significance or power. They would have all the power of God Himself through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. They needed to understand their role in the greater purpose and plan of God. They needed to be willing to lay their lives down for the good of others.

Jesus describes the greatest among His people by saying they would regard themselves as though they were the youngest, the lowest people who have absolutely no claim over anyone else. Christian leaders will be humble people who pour themselves out in lowly service. And these apostles, when they go out to share the good news about what Jesus accomplished for all people, will go out as equals, serving the same cause, sharing the same Gospel. That is why pastors are called ministers. That title reminds us of Jesus' humble, lowly service to us. Like Him, pastors don't do their work for their own glory or recognition, but for the benefit of those around them, and for the glory of their Savior Jesus Christ.

As He lays aside the water basin and towel and resumes His place at the table, He brings their focus back to Himself. He is the glorious Son of God, yet He set aside that glory and became human. He reminds them that He has come to serve, and not to be served. He will soon show them the greatest example of lowly, self-sacrifice as He offers Himself unto death to remove our guilt and sin. Can we really expect to be great if we are unwilling to do the same? Jesus walked the way we are to walk. He lived the life we are to live. That is the path to true greatness!