The Greatest Among You

I have set you an example that you
should do as I have done for you.
               —John 13:15

When Jesus shucked his robe, wrapped the servant towel around his waist, filled the basin, and began washing his disciples’ feet you could have heard a pin drop.

Those disciples weren’t about to stoop to foot-washing. Serve one another? Forget it! They were jockeying for preeminence—arguing during the Passover meal “about which one of them was the greatest.”

Read these words slowly: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant … just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matt. 20:26, 28).

Your education, position, heritage, affluence, or talent may make you the center of attention, one to be served. But you will achieve true greatness only by serving.

Be big enough to be small enough to serve.

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