“I'm the Greatest!” – FBC Morning Light (11/12/2024)

Well, good

Tuesday morning. Today we're also reading in all four Gospels, Matthew 26,

Mark 14, Luke 22, and John chapter 13. And we're reading today about the disclosure on Jesus' part, there in the upper room, at the table, that one of the disciples is going to betray him.

It's interesting how the disciples respond to that. Initially they're shocked, they're grieved at such a thought that one of them could be a traitor, and initially they're asking the question,

Lord, is it I? I mean, they're rattled by this. I suppose that part of the reason for that question is that each of them is well enough aware of the depravity of the human heart, but that question eventually gives way to another debate.

First they're questioning, it's not I, is it? Would I be the one guilty of this?

And Jesus never answers them directly. The only one he answers is Judas, and I think the reason for that is that Judas was reclining at the table right next to him, and he was able to whisper to Jesus, is it

I? And Jesus said, yeah, it is, you're the one. And so Judas knew he was found out.

But the rest of the disciples, they were totally perplexed by this at first. But then, in Luke's Gospel, we read that—let's walk right into this in the reading.

Jesus says, Behold, the hand of the betrayer is with me on the table, and truly the

Son of man goes as it's been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed. And then they began to question among themselves which of them it was who would do this thing.

I think I see a little progression here. First the question is, is it

I? And then it's, could it be you? And then things degenerate from there, because in verse 24 it says,

Now there was also a dispute among them as to which of them should be considered the greatest. So first they're considering who is it that's going to betray him, and then that leads them eventually to ask the question, which one of us is the greatest?

And they start debating this, and you can almost picture the bickering, can't you?

It couldn't be me, it just couldn't be me. I would never do such a thing.

They might do it, one of them might do it, but I would never do it. My loyalty is supreme.

I'm greater than any of them. And isn't this exactly the kind of attitude that Peter ended up displaying?

And I think we'll probably look at that in another day. But how does Jesus respond to that debate about greatness?

He doesn't satisfy their questions by answering, pointing out one of them and saying,

Yeah, you're the greatest, Peter, you're the greatest. No, he doesn't do that. Just like he doesn't publicly to the rest of the disciples point out,

Yeah, this guy right here, Judas, he's the one that's going to betray me. No. But when it comes to this question of greatness, here's how

Jesus answers it in verses 25 and following. He said, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors.

But not so among you. On the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.

For who's greater? He who sits at the table or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? But I say to you,

I am among you as the one who serves. So Jesus communicates here, want to know what true greatness looks like?

Service. That's what it looks like. So as we wrap this up today, let's ask ourselves this question.

How am I demonstrating true greatness as it's defined in God's kingdom, in the kingdom of our

Savior? How am I demonstrating that? Whom am I serving with a servant's heart, with a willing servant's heart?

How am I serving my brothers and sisters in Christ? How am I using my talents and the gifts and skills that God has given me to serve others?

Am I a servant, or am I looking to be served? Am I constantly asking, why isn't so -and -so serving me?

Is it really all about me? No. Jesus says true greatness is found in the one who serves.

I want to encourage you today. Be great. Be great in the kingdom of God.

Our Father and our God, we thank you for this challenge today, and I pray that you would deliver us from the kind of selfishness that wants to vaunt itself and lift itself up.

Instead, give us the humility of a servant's heart, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. All right, well listen, have a good rest of your