"But whoever
wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among
you must be your slave."
Throughout history the world has equated greatness with power and
might. The Jewish people eagerly awaited the promised Messiah, but the Messiah of whom
they had dreamed was always a conquering king who would reign in power and majesty.
In twenty-first century America, a person’s worth is often
assessed by their wealth and prestige; their academic eminence; their power and fame; or
their athletic performance. But to Christ these things are irrelevant.
By example, Jesus has called us to servanthood. Each person has been
created in his image and given special gifts. Each gift is valued by Christ, and none are
considered inferior to another.
As a society we must learn to value and nurture the gifts that each
person possesses. Our culture is inundated with the tragic results of people who feel that
they are unacceptable because they do not possess certain traits or have not been given
certain opportunities.
Christ cautions that true leadership does not seek privilege, but seeks
to serve others humbly. It is not a code of ethics but rather a way of living that
emulates Christ’s example.
Prayer: Heavenly father, create in us a humble spirit that we may
dedicate our lives to your service. Amen.
