God’s Standard Of Greatness

Luke 22:24-30

This winter, there was a serious snow storm that paralyzed much of the Eastern seaboard with unusual amounts of snowfall. Power was cut off to many areas and many people were struggling to get by. There was real media concern that the Super Bowl might need to be postponed. Based on the amount of coverage, the game and the commercials that would be aired were far more important than the people who were suffering from the effects of the storm.

Once again I was reminded how our human nature is focused on competition. Half of most news programs focus on sports. Schools devote nearly half their resources to sports programs. Businesses spend vast amounts of advertising money trying to gain an advantage over their competition. Cities and states compete to attract businesses. Employees compete for better positions. Young adults compete for dates and recognition. Children compete for their parents and neighbor’s attention. It is a natural human behavior.

The problem is that it is natural. It is an outgrowth of our carnal, sinful flesh. Galatians 5:176 warns, “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Competitiveness often leads to conflict, strife, and envy. I Corinthians 3:3 declares, “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" It arises in the church as well as outside, as we see with the disciples.

“And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.” (Luke 22:24)

It is human nature to assume that the greatest has the right to tell the others what to do. His advice and instruction is viewed as doing everyone else a favor. Failure to follow it is often viewed as a rebellion. Jesus describes the natural attitude.

“And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.” (Luke 22:25)

Because the church is often referred to as God’s army, many adopt a paramilitary chain of command for the church, with each person personally responsible to the one above him. In such an organization, nearly everyone is seeking to move up the chain. Jesus declares emphatically that this is not to be the system used in the church. In Revelation 2, God states that he hates this doctrine of the Nicolaitaines, not once, but twice.

“But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.” (Luke 22:26-27)

One of the biggest difficulties for both the Spanish and the Americans to deal with in trying to conquer the Navajos was their tribal organization. They had no king or chief who had authority to speak for others. A Nataani, or head man was a person who had earned peoples respect. This gave him some influence but no innate authority. Each individual was responsible for his own actions and relationship to the rest of the tribe. If someone got to causing too much trouble, the others might join forces to deal with the problem, but each was still a single unit.

This loose organization is far more ancient that the modern military model, and far harder to subdue. Because Scotland used a somewhat similar system it took hundreds of years for England to subdue them. The Spanish never subdued the Navajos, in almost three hundred years, and the Americans only did so by killing or capturing individuals and families and confining them for four years at Bosque Redondo, starving them into subjection.

It was this ancient system that God intended the church to use. Under such a system, there is no competing for a higher position, with every person responsible for his or her own actions. United efforts are for mutual benefit, but are not binding. Each person is to be autonomous and equal, Leadership is to be based on respect rather than power. The only way of defeating such an organization is by destroying each individual’s freedom. A tightly knit, highly organized organization is comparatively easy to defeat, since it is only necessary to control the chain of command. The strongest modern armies have had only limited success in Afghanistan. After twenty years, Russia simply gave up. God said that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against his Church.

Jesus himself set the example as to position in the church, voluntarily washing the disciples feet, and serving others, rather than asking them to serve him. A person who is too important for menial jobs is not qualified to lead the church. Luke 16:10 states, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” The disciple had proven themselves in the small and difficult things, and had rewards coming.

“Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:28-30)

Contrary to popular opinion, there is no indication that God’s rewards will go to those who have earned man’s recognition. There is scriptural evidence that in fact, man’s approval may be deducted from our rewards. Faithfulness is guaranteed a reward. James 1:12 declares, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” Accomplishments have no such guarantee.