The Greatest…
09/11/08 17:58
It
wasn’t the first time that a quarrel broke out
among Jesus’ disciples and it wouldn’t be
the last. In fact, they were even arguing among
themselves on the night Jesus was betrayed. What
could these disciples be arguing about even while
Jesus was with them? They were debating about who was
the greatest, that’s what!
Don’t you find that amazing? Even though these disciples knew exactly who Jesus was, they still had aspirations to outdo one another. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took time to teach them that he who wanted to be the greatest would be the least among them. Jesus told them that those who lead within His kingdom would be those who serve.
It was the Gentile rulers that lorded over their people and continued to remind them that they should serve their leaders. Jesus told the twelve, “No, I want the opposite from you.”
If you think about it, Jesus never did anything that the world associates with greatness. Sure, he did miracles, but you have to believe that He did them, and the post-modern mind does everything in its power to discredit what He did. But they cannot argue or discredit His service.
In the thirteenth chapter of the gospel of John, we see Jesus and His disciples at the last meal they would share together before He gave His life for them:
“The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and the he had come from God and was retuning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:2-5
Can you imagine the look on their faces when He did that?! They knew that He was the Messiah, the Christ. For Pete’s sake, He was the Son of God! They should have been jumping to wash His feet. But no, they were more interested in arguing over who was Jesus’ favorite. Here’s the King of kings bending over with towel and basin and these guys are busy measuring for their thrones next to Him in Heaven. Did you notice that in the text, none of the disciples asked Jesus if He needed any help? That’s typical, for when people are looking to exalt themselves, they’re not looking to serve.
Take note of the first thing Jesus did when He realized that all power and authority was His and that the Father put all things under His feet. He knew that He came from God and that He was going back to God. So what did He do? He served.
He could have reprimanded the apostles. He could have scolded them and then told them what they should have done. But Jesus knew that people who want to exalt themselves never see the dust that has accumulated upon themselves – His beloved disciples needed their feet washed!
Those who want to serve, do so because they are thinking about others before themselves. I think this is what Jesus was trying to get His disciples to understand. He wants you and me to understand too.
True joy is found in serving, it is better to give than receive, and if you lose your life for the sake of Christ – in the end you shall keep it!
Who will be the greatest in Heaven? That’s a “no-brainer”; it is the one who serves the most. And do you know Who served the most? Yeah, you got it, Jesus.
Who is filled with joy here on earth? It’s not the one who thinks that he should be waited on hand and foot. It’s not the one who is constantly looking out so that his “rights” aren’t infringed upon. It’s not the one who is always looking for the blessings. No, the one with the truest joy is the one who is serving, who is looking out for the needs of others and working to be a blessing. He will not only receive joy here on earth but he will receive his reward in Heaven.
Let us serve the Lord in gladness, let us come before Him with joyful songs.
Have a great week!
Pastor Jim
Don’t you find that amazing? Even though these disciples knew exactly who Jesus was, they still had aspirations to outdo one another. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took time to teach them that he who wanted to be the greatest would be the least among them. Jesus told them that those who lead within His kingdom would be those who serve.
It was the Gentile rulers that lorded over their people and continued to remind them that they should serve their leaders. Jesus told the twelve, “No, I want the opposite from you.”
If you think about it, Jesus never did anything that the world associates with greatness. Sure, he did miracles, but you have to believe that He did them, and the post-modern mind does everything in its power to discredit what He did. But they cannot argue or discredit His service.
In the thirteenth chapter of the gospel of John, we see Jesus and His disciples at the last meal they would share together before He gave His life for them:
“The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and the he had come from God and was retuning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:2-5
Can you imagine the look on their faces when He did that?! They knew that He was the Messiah, the Christ. For Pete’s sake, He was the Son of God! They should have been jumping to wash His feet. But no, they were more interested in arguing over who was Jesus’ favorite. Here’s the King of kings bending over with towel and basin and these guys are busy measuring for their thrones next to Him in Heaven. Did you notice that in the text, none of the disciples asked Jesus if He needed any help? That’s typical, for when people are looking to exalt themselves, they’re not looking to serve.
Take note of the first thing Jesus did when He realized that all power and authority was His and that the Father put all things under His feet. He knew that He came from God and that He was going back to God. So what did He do? He served.
He could have reprimanded the apostles. He could have scolded them and then told them what they should have done. But Jesus knew that people who want to exalt themselves never see the dust that has accumulated upon themselves – His beloved disciples needed their feet washed!
Those who want to serve, do so because they are thinking about others before themselves. I think this is what Jesus was trying to get His disciples to understand. He wants you and me to understand too.
True joy is found in serving, it is better to give than receive, and if you lose your life for the sake of Christ – in the end you shall keep it!
Who will be the greatest in Heaven? That’s a “no-brainer”; it is the one who serves the most. And do you know Who served the most? Yeah, you got it, Jesus.
Who is filled with joy here on earth? It’s not the one who thinks that he should be waited on hand and foot. It’s not the one who is constantly looking out so that his “rights” aren’t infringed upon. It’s not the one who is always looking for the blessings. No, the one with the truest joy is the one who is serving, who is looking out for the needs of others and working to be a blessing. He will not only receive joy here on earth but he will receive his reward in Heaven.
Let us serve the Lord in gladness, let us come before Him with joyful songs.
Have a great week!
Pastor Jim
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