Like so many things that Jesus spoke about, his description of what kind of person is truly great is the opposite of who the world considers great. In this world greatness is defined by position, privilege and entitlements. The great ones are those at the top and who prefer the receiving end of serving. Jesus turns this mindset upside down when he declares;

“If anyone wants to be first he must be the very last and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

Jesus taught that a truly great person is one who is not concerned with positional authority and does not consider practical serving as below their pay grade. Unlike what is commonly thought and practiced by “this world” people, the advance of the Kingdom of God is not a conspiracy of superstars, but of servants. Jesus is the perfect model of Kingdom greatness.

“The Spiritual authority of Jesus is an authority not found in a position or a title, but in a towel” (Richard Foster).

What might it mean for the advance of the Kingdom if a majority in any given local church embraced the attitude and lifestyle of true greatness? What changes might need to take place for you to become “the very last and the servant of all”?