BECOMING GREAT

25 BUT Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.
26 Yet it shall not be so among you; BUT WHOEVER DESIRES TO BECOME GREAT AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE YOUR SERVANT.
27 AND WHOEVER DESIRES TO BE FIRST AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE YOUR SLAVE—
28 JUST AS THE SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED, BUT TO SERVE, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE A RANSOM FOR MANY"
Matthew 20:25-28 (NKJV)

The above passage is the second place in the Book of Matthew that Jesus was talking about being great in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-4; 20:26-28).

The issue of comparableness is an important issue to many people. They always want to prove that they are greater or higher than another person. Even among the believers, you would see a believer in a local church who wants to class himself or herself, prove that they are not equal with others. Some even want to form a clique in the church, that they are the wealthy or most comfortable among the believers in that local church. Some want to prove they are the highest donors; highest tithe payers, highest this or that: "DO NOTHING FROM SELFISHNESS OR EMPTY CONCEIT [through factional motives, or strife], BUT WITH [an attitude of] HUMILITY [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], REGARD OTHERS AS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOURSELVES" (Philippians 2:3 amps).
READ: James 2:1-5

But the Scripture says those who do such a thing are not wise: "FOR WE DARE NOT CLASS OURSELVES OR COMPARE OURSELVES WITH THOSE WHO COMMEND THEMSELVES. BUT THEY, MEASURING THEMSELVES BY THEMSELVES, AND COMPARING THEMSELVES AMONG THEMSELVES, ARE NOT WISE" (2 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV).

There should be no reason for a believer to be bragging about what he or she has, for whatever you have, It was given to you by God, and If you did receive It from God, Why bragging or being boastful about it then?: "FOR WHO MAKES YOU DIFFER FROM ANOTHER? AND WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT YOU DID NOT RECEIVE? NOW IF YOU DID INDEED RECEIVE IT, WHY DO YOU BOAST AS IF YOU HAD NOT RECEIVED IT?" (1 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV).

The attitude of wanting to prove that you are higher or greater than someone stems from pride. When you want to prove that you are the head and you are better than every other person.
Some want to believe their opinions or viewpoints are the best, no one else can think better than them. They want to believe If they are not there or be involved in a thing, It would not work out well or succeed. Since you are not God, how would you think like that? There are many who can do whatever you are doing better than you are doing It! There is no one that is indispensable! It is only God we cannot do without. People can do without you. If you are no more today, there are many people who can do whatever you are doing, even in a better way than the way you are doing it. Thus, do not think of yourself more than you ought to (Romans 12:3).

When I was still small, as a little boy, known that children are competitive in character, whenever there is a reason to share something or whatever, whenever someone tells me, I will come first because I am older than you. I will run to my father and ask him, Is it true that so and so person is older than me? The answer he usually gives to me is, It is God Who makes one the head, the first. That I should not bother about it. He never once told me that I am older than any of my peers whenever I run to him for such a question. But I did not like his stand about it then.

It is when I grow older that I could see wisdom in what he was saying or telling me then. In other words, he was indirectly telling me I should not be bothered about my age or disputing with others that I am older or greater than them. If God makes you great in whatever you are doing, even those who are older than you in age would come and serve under your leadership. Greatness or promotion comes from God. It does not come from the east or west or south:
6 FOR EXALTATION COMES NEITHER FROM THE EAST: NOR FROM THE WEST NOR FROM THE SOUTH. 7 BUT GOD IS THE JUDGE: HE PUTS DOWN ONE, AND EXALTS ANOTHER" (Psalm 75:6,7 NKJV).

6-7 FOR PROMOTION AND POWER COME FROM NOWHERE ON EARTH, BUT ONLY FROM GOD. HE PROMOTES ONE AND DEPOSES ANOTHER."
Psalm 75:6,7 (the Living Bible)

A believer who understands and believes the above Bible passage would not be striving with others about being older or higher or greater than someone. When you are promoted or exalted by God, you automatically become the head of others. You do not become great by striving for It. It is God's making. Striving or arguing or fighting that you are greater or higher or older than someone is a lack of wisdom. If you are exalted or promoted by God, with evidence, proofs and results, who will argue with it. Only a fool argues with results!

Thus, Jesus' admonition is, whoever wants to be great should become a servant. That, It is through servathood or servantship that you become great in God's kingdom or vineyard. Jesus cited Himself as an example that He did not come to be served but to serve: "JUST AS THE SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED, BUT TO SERVE, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE A RANSOM FOR MANY" (Matthew 20:28 (NKJV).
Serving others is sacrificial, but It is rewarding. Jesus gave His life a ransom for many, mankind in general (Matthew 20:28). Albeit, that gave Him the exalted position He is occupying today, both in heaven, on earth, and underneath the earth (Philippians 2:5-11). If Jesus did not serve and give His life a ransom as He did, He would not be exalted the way He is today. There is no name greater than Jesus' name today! Either in heaven, on the earth, or under the earth (Philippians 2:9-11).

In conclusion, you become great through humility and servanthood or servantship. Peace.

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