THE SECRET OF GREATNESS

"Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant" (Matthew 20:27).

A few hundred years before Christ, there was a man who rose to power in the world. He ruthlessly conquered many people and it is said that he sat down and cried when he had no more people to conquer. They called him Alexander the Great. When Christ was born there was a king ruling in Judea called Herod. He was so cruel that he knew there would be rejoicing
over his death. Thus, he planned to have some people put to death so that at least not everyone would be rejoicing over his death. They called him Herod the Great. One Christmas Day in the year 800, a man was crowned as emperor of the Holy Roman Empire; they called him Charlemagne, which means Charles the Great. More recently, in our own time, there was a boxer who earned his living by defeating other boxers. He referred to himself as The Greatest. And then there is the best hockey player, Wayne Gretzky, who the media referred to as The Great One.

Is it not odd how the world evaluates greatness? Those who followed Jesus were also interested in the matter of greatness. In fact, they asked Jesus who would be the greatest in his kingdom. Also, the mother of two of His disciples came and asked if her two sons might have the most
prominent place in His kingdom. Jesus therefore explained that, while the rulers of the nations count it greatness when they exercise control over people, His way of greatness is much different. It was then that Jesus explained that in God's kingdom the great people are the ones who serve others. This is a dramatic reversal from the concept of the world. As His disciples, Jesus therefore commands and expects us to be servants of others. \

In most of life's endeavors, most people do not subscribe to this radical teaching on greatness. However, if we are to please and serve Him, then we must be willing to serve others.

When William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, was too weak to attend their annual conference, he was asked if he had a word for the people attending the conference. His reply was in one word, "others." Think about his and tell God you want to be a blessing to someone today.

Rev. Thomas D. Murray (Pastor Murray was a dear friend of America's KESWICK and went home to be with the Lord earlier this year.) Taken from REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE.

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 3-5; 1 Timothy 4