JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “How did Jesus define greatness?”

An argument developed among Jesus’ disciples on the question, “Who was the greatest?”

Whenever people start asking this kind of question, either privately or out in the open, you can anticipate arguing and dissension to follow.

Jesus used this argument as a teachable moment. He said to them in Mark 9:35, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last and the servant of all.”

Jesus defined greatness in terms of serving others. He encourages us to think in terms of giving, generosity, sacrifice, and love. Jesus is the greatest of all, and He set an example of service and sacrifice for us to follow. He said in Matthew 9:26, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

According to Jesus, service is the pathway to greatness in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com