True Greatness

Who’s the best? Who’s number one? Who is the greatest? These are all questions we ask in our culture—all very important questions. As a coach, I’ve spent much time and energy trying to persuade young people to work in order to win a game, to determine who is best on a playing field.

Ask almost anyone in America who is great, and they will answer with names of those who score touchdowns, hit balls a long distance, and slam dunk basketballs; people who sing great songs or are great actors; strong people; powerful people who tell others what to do; people who can have anything they want, go anywhere they want and do anything they want to do. Such is greatness as we define it in our time. And then along comes Jesus, who changes everything.

Christ redefines greatness not only with His words, but more importantly with His actions. He died on a cross. He washed feet. He was a servant to all. And right in the middle of our hearts, He places His standards of greatness for us to follow and to teach. To be “a servant,” these are the words of Jesus—the definition of a true winner.

We have a long way to go; but in Christ and in His love, there must be a way. May we all start today to move toward true greatness, not as we tend to think of it, but through the eyes of Jesus.