Formula For Greatness

Formula For Greatness

In the 1960’s -- when I was a college student -- a heavy-weight boxer by the name of Cassius Clay was making a real name for himself.

He changed his name to Muhammad Ali -- & became well known, not only for his boxing skills -- but also for his often repeated phrase: -- “I am the greatest.”

Do you remember him? -- Who could forget him?

I suppose everyone has at least a secret desire to be great in some form or another.

Certainly some of disciples of Jesus had their desire for greatness!

This question of greatness occurs first in Mark’s gospel chapter 9 -- & again in chapter 10 of Mark.

Let’s look at the disciples ambition for greatness -- & at the Lord’s response to their ambition.

It is ironic that on both occasions -- Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem & is telling His disciples about what lay ahead for Him.

As Jesus walks He talks about His fate -- about His suffering & about His impending death upon the Cross. Let’s listen in & observe what Jesus teaches us about this subject of Greatness!

First we will look at Mark, chapter 9, beginning with verse 30 (NIV).

They left that place & passed through Galilee.

Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were,

because He was teaching His disciples. He said to them,

“The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.

They will kill Him, & after three days He will rise.”

But they did not understand what He meant

& were afraid to ask Him about it.

They came to Capernaum.

When He was in the house, He asked them,

“What were you arguing about on the road?”

But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve & said,

“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, & the servant of all.”

He took a little child & had him stand among them.

Taking him in His arms, He said to them,

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children

in my name welcomes me; & whoever welcomes me

does not welcome me but the one who sent me.

Now let’s move ahead to chapter 10 -- beginning with verse 32 -- where once again Jesus predicts His death.

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way,

& the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid.

Again He took the Twelve aside & told them what was going to happen to Him.

“We are going up to Jerusalem,” He said,

“& the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priest & teachers of the law.

They will condemn Him to death & will hand Him over to the Gentiles,

who will mock Him & spit on Him, flog Him & kill Him. Three days later He will rise.”

Then James & John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him.

“Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” He asked.

They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right & the other at your left in your glory.”

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink

or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

“We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink

& be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,

but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant.

These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James & John.

Jesus called them together & said,

“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles

lord it over them, & their high officials exercise authority over them.

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you

must be your servant, & whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,

& to give His life as a ransom for many.”

On both of these occasions -- Jesus shares His guidelines for “who-soever wants to be great.”

Both of these discussions of “who will be the greatest” -- take place immediately after Jesus’ prediction concerning His impending death.

This happens in both Mark 9 & 10. The irony of the situation is so obvious.

Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem -- & talking to His disciples about what He will be facing there -- & about His death on the Cross.

And all the while they are arguing among themselves about who was & will be the greatest.

How blind the disciples really were to Jesus’ mission.

Jesus knew He was to be the “Lamb of God” -- slain for the sins of the world (John 1:29).

The disciples still did not understand that fact! Its meaning & significance was hidden from them.

But in this dispute over “who is the greatest” -- we learn some very important lessons. -- Let me share them with you today. Here, in the teachings of Jesus -- we discover the Formula for Greatness!

1. Greatness Does Not Come From Wealth!

In between these two discussions on greatness -- as seen in Mark 10:17-31 -- comes a Rich Young Ruler -- who falls at Jesus feet; -- Jesus, who does not so much as have a place to lay His head.

Now you would think that this Rich Young Ruler -- by his very wealth -- was great!

We are always so impressed by those who have wealth! We acquaint wealth with greatness!

If a person is wealthy -- he/she must be great.

When we hear of someone winning a rich prize -- or becoming an instant millionaire through the lottery -- we admit we would gladly be in their place! We dream of the many things we could purchase -- & do!

But Jesus tells this Rich Young Ruler to go sell all he has -- & to give it to the poor!

Even the disciples were shocked & surprised with Jesus’ instructions. Why -- if he had great wealth -- then surely he must be a great person -- & we need him to be part of our group!

But Jesus knew that greatness does not come from wealth!

What a perfect illustration this was for the disciples -- but they didn’t see it.

So after the Rich Young Ruler sadly walks away -- Jesus talks to His disciples about the deceitfulness of riches & prosperity.

If we are rich -- & have great wealth -- we tend to feel independent; -- we tend to rely on -- & trust in -- our riches, rather than in God!

The Bible does not condemn the use of money -- nor even the possession of money -- but we are warned against the dangers of riches -- & of the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10).

In fact, Jesus told His disciples that it is hard for someone who possesses riches to enter heaven.

Jesus said -- “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25).

Money can be a blessing -- or a curse! If we use what we have to God’s glory -- realizing that we are stewards in His sight -- it will be a blessing to both body & soul.

But if kept selfishly -- with little or no thought of God’s right -- it can become a real curse.

Money is a marvelous servant -- but a terrible master!

If you possess money -- be grateful -- & use it for God’s glory.

But if money possesses you -- beware!

It is good to have the things that money can buy -- provided you don’t lose the things that money cannot buy. Wealth can become a snare & a trap!

An old preacher once said to me -- when I spoke of a friend who was turning his attention to making money -- “That is all right -- but there are lots of alligators along the stream -- & if he is not careful, one will get him.

And sad to say -- the old preacher’s prophecy proved true with this friend.

2. Greatness Does Not Come From Position!

When we meet someone who holds an important position of some kind or another -- we act so impressed. We say -- “The President! -- Oh, he’s the greatest.” -- “The King! -- Oh, he’s the greatest!” -- “The Champion! -- Oh, he’s the greatest!”

I wonder if that is why there is so much haggling over positions!

How many candidates are there? -- in both the Republican & the Democrat parties -- running for President in 2008?

James & John -- the sons of Zebedee -- came up to Jesus & said: -- “We want You to do us a favor” (10:35 LB). -- A favor indeed!

They were seeking the positions of greatest authority & power in the government they believed Jesus would soon establish.

While they were reaching -- they were reaching for the stars!

The report soon circulated that James & John were seeking unfair advantage. -- The reaction of the other ten disciples is explosive. The rest of the disciples became indignant.

Sometimes we’re a little like Macbeth. If you know anything about the works of William Shakespeare -- you know that Macbeth was an overly ambitious character.

In fact, he was so ambitious that it killed him -- literally.

He wanted so much to be king that he resorted to murder -- & he paid for it with his life.

Often in our attempt to achieve greatness through position -- we do so by stepping on others.

This, in turn -- causes the serpent of jealousy & discord to creep into the group we want to lead.

But Jesus knew that there is no real greatness in the grasp for position & power.

God’s pattern in Scripture is that a person must first be a servant -- before God promotes him or her to be a ruler.

This was true of Joseph -- Moses -- Joshua -- David -- Timothy -- & even our Lord Himself -- Who, “though He was God, He did not demand & cling to His rights as God. -- He made Himself nothing; -- He took the humble position of a slave & appeared in human form. -- And in human form He obediently humbled Himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross. -- Because of this, God raised Him up to the heights of heaven & gave Him a name that is above every other name -- so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow -- in heaven & on earth & under the earth -- & every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord -- to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:6-11).

If our praise is from men -- we shall never have enough!

If our praise is from God -- we shall be content & never envious of position.

Some years ago I heard John A. Knight tell the story of the time when he was but a teenager -- attending the District Assembly in Texas, where his father, John L. Knight was serving as District Superintendent. The Assembly voted on the leadership role of District Superintendent.

To the surprise of young John -- & to many others -- the Assembly failed to re-elect John L. Knight; -- instead, electing someone else. Young John could not believe what he had just witnessed! He wondered how his father was going to respond & react!

But young John watched as his father graciously stepped off the platform, went out into the audience -- & taking the hand of the newly elected superintendent -- walked him up to the podium -- introducing the man who would be taking over his job -- leaving John L. Knight without a job or any kind of a position at the close of the Assembly.

When the Assembly ended -- the Knight family got into the family car & drove to their home which they would soon have to vacate.

Never a word of bitterness was spoken; -- only words of congratulations for the man who would take over the position. It was his father’s humble reaction to getting voted out as District Superintendent that convinced young John of the truth of heart holiness -- & of the true greatness of his father.

Of course -- God had plans for John L. Knight -- as well as for the son, John A. Knight -- both of whom served the Church with real distinction through the years ahead.

But the story illustrates the fact that position in itself -- is not proof of greatness; -- the greatness was demonstrated by a godly & humble spirit seen in the life & in the spirit of John L. Knight.

3. Greatness Comes From Service To Others!

Jesus -- in His dealings with the disciples -- spoke to both the issues of wealth & position.

He rebuked the greed for great riches; -- He rebuked the arrogant spirit of envy for position among His followers.

Jesus taught that lowliness is the path to greatness -- & that service is the way to power!

The coming of the Rich Young Ruler -- & the ambition of the two disciples -- provided an opportunity for Jesus to teach about the new law of the gospel.

Jesus stated that only the person who serves is qualified to govern all.

Service to others is the sure path to greatness!

This Formula for Greatness is a radical concept!

Jesus said: -- “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last -- & the servant of all” (9:35).

And He added: -- “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant -- & whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (10:43-44).

According to Jesus -- the greatest -- is someone who serves others.

Clearly this is a complete reversal of the standards of this world!

But the way to greatness is only by self-forgetting service!

The question of Greatness can only be understood in terms of love which results in service & sacrifice to others.

We have a Supreme Example of precisely this kind of service -- “For the Son of Man did not come to be served -- but to serve” (10:45).

My friends -- as Christ’s followers -- we must be committed to His own example of serving!

Jesus gave Himself to others in costly service!

Jesus serves as a model of servant hood!

You may remember the disturbances that broke out in Los Angeles following the Rodney King verdict in April 1992. However there was very little looting -- & no burning in the South Los Angeles neighborhood where Alice Harris lived at the time.

And that -- said Assistant Chief Bernard Parks of the L.A.P.D. -- was thanks to more than 25 years of service by “Sweet Alice” -- as Alice Harris is called.

Her work had begun in 1965 -- a month after the riots in the Watts ghetto district of L.A. -- when the Alabama-born mother of nine founded Parents of Watts (POW) -- in order to help her community. Through her untiring service to other -- “Sweet Alice” ran 15 different programs on a shoestring budget -- which was so well respected -- that even riot angry people would in no way destroy or disturb her neighborhood.

In January 1993, Alice Harris became No. 703 in the Thousands Points of Light -- rewarded by the first President George Bush. Her greatness was seen in her untiring service to others!

“Sweet Alice” said her philosophy of life is: “Living is helping people.”

And how perfectly this fits the acronym for JOY: -- Jesus first; -- Others second; -- Yourself last.

Conclusion: It is reassuring to discover that the deepest needs & longing of the human spirit may find satisfaction in doing God’s will.

Jesus does not condemn the desire for greatness. He simply explains that -- greatness in not found in wealth; -- greatness is not found in position; -- but rather, greatness comes from serving others.

Suppose -- just suppose, we were to be measured only by the amount of real service we have rendered to people. How would you measure up?

Everyone has an inner longing to be great; -- to live a meaningful, significant life; -- to have some “claim to fame.” And to think! -- it is all right there within our very reach!

You may have thought that life has passed you by.

You may have been deceived into thinking you were too old to become great; -- too poor to become great; -- too lowly to become great.

We do not have to be rich after all! We do not have to seek important positions!

All we have to do is to reach out in love & service to those around us.

The more we serve the needs of others -- the greater we truly become!

And if you cannot do great things -- you can do small things in a great way.

After all -- true greatness comes in serving others!

Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ