Sun 20 Sep

How do we determine greatness? What makes one great? How does our culture determine greatness? They say that the Sydney Olympic Games were the greatest games ever. What made them great? What made Sir Donald Bradman a great cricketeer? What makes a great teacher? What makes a great politician? What makes a nation great?

The question of greatness surfaces when the disciples come to Jesus and ask the question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”? What determines greatness for the Christian? How would you determine greatness in the Christian life?

For Jesus the answer is summarised in one word – humility! Unless you humble yourself is repeated through these verses. Trying to define humble is challenging. Often as we look at what humble means we end up showing how proud we are.

For the Christian, humbleness requires submission to our loving heavenly Father. The question asked of us will be “Have you submitted to your heavenly Father?” Humbleness indicates that we are prepared to hand our aspirations, our dreams, our lives over to God and allow him to work His will in our lives. In doing so we follow in the footsteps of Jesus who also humbled Himself to the point of going to the cross.

Greatness is visible in our humility. Think of great Christians you know and then look for humility. As you look, how is your humbleness?