Who is the greatest among us?! Me? You?

Both of us? (Can we ride together to save gas and the environment?)

When he witnessed Peter, James, and John arguing about who would be the greatest among them, Jesus said…

In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.

Who is the greatest among us? Who sits at the table today? Who hangs back stage? Or in green rooms? Or with security? Or on stages? Or in front of television cameras? Or on discussion panels? Or on basketball courts and football fields? Or on big screens at movie theaters?

Who is the greatest among us?

Who delights in their positions of influence and successes and wealth and power? Who do we worship and put on pedestals? Politicians? Celebrities? Pastors? Musicians?

It’s easy to point fingers. I do it all the time. I’m actually really good at pointing out those who are the “greatest among us.”

Why?

Because I’m usually sitting at the table with them. Or actually, I’m usually trying to sit at the table with them–you know, clawing my way through the throng of people looking for my chance, my place, my spot among the “friends of the people.”

Are you a friend of the people? (Wanna do lunch?)

I’m always humbled and sobered by those words of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Because I’m not very good at being a servant.

I’m good at pretending once in awhile. On mission trips or at church when people are watching me or when I’m around people who I believe would be “cool” to serve. And I’m really good at serving people who might in return serve me. (Those are the best people to serve!)

But sadly, I’m rarely just a servant.

I want to be a servant. Well, I think I want to be…

But I’m…

Busy.

Self-interested.

Unsure whether or not I believe the words that Jesus said–you know, that the greatest in his kingdom are the servants.

And did I mention that I’m busy? Because I am.

I really am.

To be continued… (maybe)