PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS
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All around us today, we see people openly and shamelessly jockeying for places of power, prestige, influence, and opportunity. In the world’s eyes, this desperate and naked attempt at seeking some form of temporary greatness is the highest purpose for mankind. Sadly, those seeking to satisfy the standard of the world will find themselves constantly disappointed. The world’s definition of greatness is always on the move and never satisfied with your achievements.
In today’s devotional, I want to point you toward true greatness. Greatness from the perspective of your Creator and Lord does not look like that found in the shifting shadows of the arrogant and godless of our world.
To comprehend true greatness, listen to this interaction between Jesus Christ and his disciples:
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered.
23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, 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 by my Father.”
24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Matthew 20:20-28 NIV11)
Seeking
What were these followers of Jesus (and their mom) seeking when they asked Jesus to allow the boys to sit at Jesus’ side?
We can dress it up in religious terminology all we want but it seems obvious that they were looking for Jesus to lift up these two and give them places of significance and greatness that would last for eternity.
You don’t know
Jesus was kind in his pushback. He asked them if they really wanted to go through what he was about to go through? This ought to have given them pause.
But they blasted past Jesus’ warning and declared themselves ready to receive the cup of Christ. This is not the cup of the New Covenant, nor is it the cup of friendship or fellowship with God. This is the cup that Jesus lamented in the garden and that he drank deeply while suffering on the cross. These disciples were so hungry for significance and position that they were ready to blindly sign a contract with suffering.
They, and we, would do well to consider the wisdom of Jesus here and look at our own motives for wanting more from the Lord. Are we seeking more so that the Lord will be blessed by our increased witness and service or are we wanting more from God so that we can have an experience that separates us, and lifts us above others?
Indignant
Why were the other disciples indignant?
Because the sons of Zebedee asked first. Sadly this is the truth. They were not upset at the inappropriateness of the question. They were not saddened by the spiritual avarice of the other disciples. No, they were annoyed that their moms did not ask on their behalf.
True Greatness
Now we get to the point. Jesus defined true greatness for his disciples as being like the Son of Man, being like Jesus Christ. Is there anyone greater? No. So being like Jesus Christ is the greatest thing that any human being could ever hope to achieve.
So then, what is Jesus Christ like? If we desire to become great like Jesus, then we should study Jesus and emulate what we find.
Servanthood
Jesus Christ made it plain to his followers that the definition of greatness presented by the unbelieving world was not to be found in the kingdom of God. In the kingdom of God, service and humility were valued higher than all other attributes and actions.
And before we think of a loophole or workaround, Jesus makes it plain that this kind of service is not in name only, or service as a king on a throne. His service is sacrificial, loving, and others focused. Jesus Christ served real people by touching their real needs. He did more than write a check or speak a kind word. He showed up and he gave of himself without regard to fairness or what he would receive as a reward.
Jesus Christ served others with true greatness. If we want to be great in this life, we ought to drink of the cup of service. Show up. Be loving. Give the glory to God.
Be great today.
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
PASTOR RYAN LADEN
Works at MTN. CHURCH
Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church
Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at Baylor University
Studied at Texas Tech University
Went to Castle Hills First Baptist
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