True Greatness

Background Scripture: Mark 10:28–52
Lesson Scripture: Mark 10:28–31, 35–45

Introduction

What is the essence of greatness? Many people in history have been considered prominent, important and great, and many more have aspired to be great. We could speak much of the virtues of humility and faith as they pertain to greatness. Without humility, it is doubtful that true greatness can be attained. Jesus “made himself of no reputation.” The value of faith and all that faith has accomplished could also be counted as that which makes for greatness.

However, it seems there is one outstanding virtue that cannot be missing from true greatness. In 1 Corinthians 13:13 we read, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” Therefore, the very essence and most important mark of true greatness is love.

Key Verse

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself (Gal. 6:3).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

It appears that this incident takes place well into Christ’s ministry, perhaps toward the end. The disciples had already heard the Sermon on the Mount. They had observed Jesus’s first miracle, which was the changing of water to wine at Cana. The woman with an issue of blood had been healed when she touched the hem of His garment, and a young damsel had been raised back to life. By the time of this lesson many parables had been spoken, and many miracles wrought. The disciples had observed and learned much about the mighty power of this One who had come from heaven to dwell among men. He was an extraordinary person, the very Son of God!

Zebedee was a Galilean fisherman who probably lived near Capernaum or Bethsaida. It is thought that he was wealthy, as he owned a boat and had hired servants. His two sons, James and John, must have provided a spirited element among the twelve disciples since Jesus referred to them as the “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). On one occasion when a Samaritan village did not accept Jesus, these two brothers asked Jesus to call down fire from heaven to punish them. These two, together with Peter and Andrew, were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee.

Later, James and John came seeking a position in Christ’s future kingdom, one on His right side and the other on the left. They obviously had not yet grasped the purpose of Jesus’s mission and the divine nature of the kingdom He came to establish. The other disciples were indignant. Why should these two have a place of honor over the rest? Jesus used the occasion to teach some beautiful truths about the nature of His coming kingdom. True greatness comes only when our hearts are filled with love, we possess an attitude of unworthiness, and we are true disciples of the Lord.

It is interesting to note that James became the first of the disciples to die in martyrdom, being put to death by King Herod Agrippa sometime around ad 42–44. John died a natural death many years later after suffering much for the cause of Christ.

Practical Truths for Today

“Our purpose in life, therefore, is not to win acclaim in this world. It is not to accumulate property. It is not to be known for the wisdom and education of this world. It is not to have an easy life. It must be our purpose to know God and His Son, Jesus Christ. It must be our purpose to know His ways and to walk in them.” 1 True greatness will not be found in our financial prowess. It cannot be found in our accumulation of goods or in our understanding of world affairs. These are not the things that bring about the approval of God nor the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Earthly greatness will not save our souls, nor will fame or riches lead others to find deliverance from their sins and give them hope of eternal life.

In 1 Timothy 6:9 we read, “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” Our basic human nature desires comfort, wealth, and position. We are inclined to seek distinction in money, honor, prestige, or any other area that Satan presents to us for a moment in the limelight. Disciples of Jesus do well to look into the mirror of the Holy Word and there see the base human nature as it really is.

The key to true greatness is found when we are born again. It is found in a humble spirit. True greatness can come only when we are little in our own sight (1 Sam. 15:17). “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God” (1 Pet. 5:6). Humility is the spirit from which true greatness springs. Pride destroys true greatness. It takes an honest and humble evaluation of our thoughts and motives to identify and repent of any inordinate desire in our hearts for a prestigious position.

True greatness is found, not in being a king, lord, or ruler, but in being a servant. In society, those who are high achievers, those who have pursued and accumulated wealth, or those who have been successful in politics often view themselves as being great. Perhaps we admire those who have attained popularity and notable positions, but true greatness is not defined by these things. Jesus was our example in that He gave Himself a ransom for us.

A child of God is not self-serving, nor does he seek to be noticed. He does not see his own accomplishments as important; rather, he truly desires that others will succeed. A truly great leader is one who serves his people. He loves them and wants their best.

We portray the attribute of true greatness by our love for the souls of men. We express the love that came into our lives when God heard our cry for forgiveness and forgave our sins. Because of all He has done for us, we love him because He first loved us. Our service is a love service wherein we seek to bring glory to our Savior and not to ourselves.

Illustrations

We find in our Redeemer, Savior, and Friend the epitome of true greatness. He it is “who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, . . . humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:6–8). And God “hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Phil. 2:9–10). It was love, the everlasting love of God that brought Jesus down to earth to die for us.

Many Old Testament characters were men of true greatness. Caleb, a contemporary of Joshua, was such a man. He was one of the twelve spies who went into the land of Canaan to explore it. Though they all were impressed with the goodness of the land, only Joshua and Caleb were ready to go in at once to possess it, believing that they were well able. Forty-five years later, after the wilderness experience and when God had, for the most part, designated each tribe’s inheritance, Caleb conferred with Joshua in Gilgal. He referred to the time they had investigated Canaan and declared, “I wholly followed the Lord my God” (Josh. 14:8). He continued, “As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me . . . Now therefore give me this mountain . . . if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said” (Josh. 14:11–12). Caleb had unfailing confidence in the promises of God, and he had no doubts that God would be with him and his family as they endeavored to take the land of the Anakims to themselves.

Questions

1. Is it within the reach of every born-again Christian to attain unto true greatness?
2. Should a Christian strive to achieve true greatness in his life, or is it better to focus on other things?
3. What are the telltale expressions of man’s inordinate desire for power and position?
4. 1 Bible Doctrine and Practice, p. 404
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).