Since the dawn of civilization, one of the strongest human desires has been to achieve personal greatness. In all ages men and women dominated by self-will and selfish ambition have relentlessly striven to thrust themselves into the pages of history as among the greatest.
Christ Jesus over nineteen centuries ago tersely rebuked this age-old human quest for personal greatness when he said to his disciples (Matt. 23:11), "He that is greatest among you shall be your servant." The Master plainly discerned that the importunate search for material power, wealth, and adulation was contrary to his spiritual teaching that man is at one with the Father and has no existence apart from Him. In this illuminating statement the Master lovingly sought to convey to his followers the divine key to true greatness.
Throughout his healing and redemptive mission the humble Nazarene never ascribed power or greatness to himself. He always attributed all power to God, his heavenly Father, and refused to consider for a moment the glory, riches, and homage the devil placed at his feet. He well knew that his holy purpose included no earthly kingdom to rule. Most aptly he said (John 7: 18), "He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him."
