Rev. Bob Gilberg, The Olive Branch Community Church of Firebaugh
When I was growing up, I was taught to admire those who made great sacrifices for our nation, those who overcame insurmountable obstacles to reach extraordinary heights, those who gave everything so that our nation might enjoy freedom and prosperity.
I was taught to admire those who work hard, who never give up, those who persevere in the face of trials and tribulations.
We often look at great figures in history according to their intellect, such as Albert Einstein, or their wisdom, such as Plato and Socrates, or their talent, such as Pavarotti and Taylor Swift.
We often credit people with greatness because of their accomplishments, be it in diplomacy, business or faith. What have they established? How did they accomplish it? How is our world better for it?
When we have healthy role-models and mentors in our life, it encourages us to be the best we can be; through the lives of others, we are encouraged and inspired to reach beyond the ordinary, to believe we can make a difference in the world in which we live, to strive for a better life for ourselves, our family and our nation.
Consider the role-models and mentors you have had in your life. What qualities and attributes set them apart? Was it strength and fortitude? How about intellect and ability? Was it their aptitude to persuade and succeed?
While we are quick to admire distinguishable qualities in other people, I wonder how often we admire indistinguishable qualities. While we are quickly drawn to those who shine brightly, those who stand tall, I wonder how often we find inspiration and hope in those who are largely unknown, in those who avoid the spotlight, in those who are more eager to serve than to be served.
While the world may measure greatness based on wealth, power and influence, within the kingdom of God, greatness is measured differently. Jesus instructs us in this way, saying “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever among you would be greatest must be servant of all,” Mark 10:43-44.
Jesus began to explain to His disciples that “the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise,” Mark 9:31. Yet, the Scripture tells us that the disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying, and they were afraid to ask. Why is that?
The first time Jesus revealed His impending death and resurrection to His disciples, Peter rebuked Jesus, telling Him this cannot be, and Jesus rebuked Peter and the other disciples, instructing them to set their minds on the things of God, not on the things of men.
It is clear that they did not heed His warning. How do we know? We know because the Scripture tells us that the disciples were arguing amongst themselves. About what? About whom among them was the greatest.
They were not focused on the things of God, but on the things of man. Not only had the disciples misunderstood what Jesus was teaching, they failed to understand the example He was setting, the life He was modeling.
In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul teaches us about the profound humility of Christ. He writes, “Though He was in the form of God, He did not count equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking on the form of a servant,” Philippians 2:6-8.
Jesus’ disciples had not yet come to understand the purpose for which He had come. They failed to understand the example and the model He was setting for them.
They were focused more on the ways of men than they were on the ways of God. And so, they began deliberating, disputing, and reasoning amongst themselves about who was the greatest. They had not yet learned what it meant to be exceedingly great in the kingdom of God.
To empty yourself means “to make no effect” or “to make no reputation.”
Jesus did not consider His divine nature, His exceeding greatness. Rather, He emptied Himself by taking on the form of a servant, being found in human form, and He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.
And because of Jesus’ obedience, God elevated Him above all others, raising Him to the highest position, “and bestowed upon Him the name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth,” Philippians 2:10.
Paul instructs us in this way, saying “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others,” Philippians 2:4.
Christ emptied Himself for our sake. How much more should we empty ourselves for the sake of Christ and for each other? Then and only then will we be considered great in the kingdom of God.
