Who is the greatest…

 Who is the greatest?

I once heard a story of a pastor who “arrived” late to church, but unknown…he came dressed as a homeless man, weaving up the aisle as though drunk, wearing tattered clothing , disguised from his congregation, muttering to himself, looking for a seat amongst the seated…his “test” to see what his congregants would do…and they had a variety of responses, from kindness to escorting him to the exit in no uncertain terms…

I have to ask myself, where would I fall in that scenario….what do I do with just the ordinary ones, the everyday people who cross my path? Is there a chip upon my shoulder, a “holier than thou” attitude grating through…am I unknowingly or knowingly asking for that seat next to Jesus in glory…do I give out that cup of cool water to those in need…or seek out others….

Open my eyes to the needs of others, seeking not to be the greatest, but the servant…as You alone are the greatest….

Thank YOU…

And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 

But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 

And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 

43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 

44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 9:33-35,10:35-37,43-45

My brothers,  show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

James 2:1-9

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:1,4

And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one.

Zechariah 14:9