Being the greatest? (Holy Week thoughts continued...)

Jesus and his disciples went to the upper room to have their Passover meal. As they did, some of the disciples were arguing over who would be the greatest in His Kingdom--who would have the highest rank. They wanted to be first and great in the eyes of the people; they wanted to be the ones barking out the orders and being the "big boss".

It is easy to criticize the disciples, isn't it? I mean, didn't they realize what Jesus was about to do? Well, actually no, they didn't In spite of all the "hints" He had given them, they were pretty much clueless. I'm not even sure they noticed His demeanor as they began the meal--that He was more sober and contemplative than usual. Although they had followed Him, observed all the great things He had done, and observed His words for over three years, they still didn't fully understand who He was and what He was doing. Amazing!

But, are we so much different today from those disciples? How often do we find our selfish thoughts and wishes taking over our minds? How often do we (albeit secretly) find ourselves wishing to be the top dog? Don't we often wish it was us giving out the orders instead of having to follow them? And don't we so often long to be noticed by other people and desire for them to notice us? Yes! I believe we are much like these disciples of Jesus.

What was Jesus' reply to them? Of course, He acknowledged that the kings of the earth are looked upon with great regard and have servants to do their bidding. But He then said that it is not that way with Him. Instead He said, that those who want to be the greatest with Him must become the least; that the leader must become the servant.

Isn't that just the opposite of what the disciples were thinking? Isn't that just the way WE think? But then, the Bible does tell us that God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. He has an upsidedown way of doing things!

In order to become great, we must serve! Who am I serving today? Who are you?

We are best used by God when we are serving others!