Who is the Greatest?

In Luke 22:24-30 we read an account of the disciples arguing about which of them should be the greatest. I wonder what their agruments were? What could either of them have possibly brought into this fellowship that would make them greater than the other?

Let's see: Simon (called Peter), Andrew (his brother), James and John (sons of Zebedee), Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddaeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot. When we look into the lives of each of these individuals we find that they all came from a pretty common background. I really don't understand what they could have been arguing about. Maybe they had acquired some sort of leadership in the circle. Maybe Jesus had given each of them a certain responsibility that's not listed in scripture. Whatever the reason - the dispute got the attention of Jesus.

I find it interesting that during the most crucial week of Jesus' earthly life, the disciples were arguing about their greatness. Was there not a heightened sensitivity to what Jesus was doing during this week? Wasn't their anything that should have tweaked their attention to the fact that Jesus was doing and saying some pretty radical things. One would have to assume that things were different this week. Yet - here they are talking about who's greater.

What I find interesting about Jesus' answer to them was that He did not dispute whether or not anyone was greater, but rather dealt with how their greatness should be used. "He who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves." What they failed to realize is that Greatness sat at the table with them. Greatness had sat with them at supper teaching them the importance of the bread and wine He shared. Greatness had washed their feet.

This should serve as a warning to each of us. Spiritual pride can affect any group of believers. It doesn't matter if you belong to a new fellowship of believers or a church body that has been around for more than 100 years; spiritual pride destroys unity. You will not find any person, in any church, that is too great to serve. Jesus gave us the example. He told the disciples that they call Him Lord and yet He washes their feet. The lesson was that each of them should be willing to wash the other's feet. Unfortunately, it would be a lesson that was not easily learned. That's the thing about servanthood - it's usually caught more than it's taught. It doesn't matter how often you hear these words, you have to serve someone to understand how truly great it is.

These same men who argued over who was the greatest fell asleep in the garden while Jesus prayed, ran like sheep being attacked by wolves when He was arrested, and one even denied that he knew Jesus. Your greatness in the kingdom is determined by how you live in every circumstance. It's easy being a disciple when Jesus is cleansing the temple, teaching the crowds, healing the sick, or doing miracles. But what happens to our faith when Jesus is arrested, taken away, and crucified? Will we be as the disciples? Will we run and hide - fearing that someone will find out who we really are?

There is great application for the church out of these verses:

• Power struggles are a diversion from the activity of God. I wonder how many churches have missed what God was getting ready to do because they were too busy arguing over meaningless matters? The point that I'm trying to make here is that it's usually during the seasons of struggle that God is getting ready to do His greatest work.
• Whenever someone tries to exalt themself in the presence of God - they will be humbled. It wasn't long after this little episode that Peter was warned of his denial. He rebuked Jesus in the beginning, but in the end he wept bitterly.
• If you want to lead, you must learn to follow. This is probably one of the greatest problems in the church today. Too many chiefs and not enough indians. Jesus teaches us plainly that if we want to be served that we better learn how to serve others.
• You can never forget where you came from. You see, the problem with spiritual pride is that we forget that we are sinner's saved by grace. Most of us are not that far removed from who we used to be and yet we live in an arrogance to those around us.

There is truly only one Great individual in the church and He is the Lord Jesus Christ. He must be our focal point in all things. I pray that all our churches would remember where they came from. I pray that we will remember how many of us started in obscurity. I pray that we will be mindful of the unity that is necessary for any ministry to be successful. I pray that we will be more concerned about the Lordship of Christ than whether or not someone followed our plan.

The reason I'm focusing upon this portion of Scripture this morning is because I don't want you to miss what God is getting ready to do. This week in the life of Jesus became the most pivotal event in the history of mankind. The disciples missed out on the greatness of the moment because they were too busy arguing about their own greatness. I pray that our churches will not do the same. I hope that we will always make the best of every opportunity that God is bringing to us. I pray that we will see His greatness. Because, in the end, it's all about His greatness anyway. May He show Himself great in your life and in your church this week.