True Greatness

Anyone with more than one child has heard it before.
It is probably said by each child at least once.
It is more than likely said by one child more than the others.
I’m Mom’s favorite!

I have heard that on more than one occasion.
I have heard that by one child in particular.
I thought I nipped that statement in the bud years ago.
I read what John and Charles Wesley’s mother answered in response to that question.

Susanna Wesley had 19 children; nine of whom died as infants.
Someone asked her which of her ten surviving children she loved the most.
She replied so wisely to that impossible question.
The one who is sick until he is well and the one who is away from home until he is back.

Even that wise remark did not quiet the repeated line: I’m Mom’s favorite.
I realized I was in in good company when I read the Gospels.
Apparently, the disciples had arguments as well.
One of their arguments was over which one of them was the greatest.

Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead the greatest among you  should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.  For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? But I am among you as one who serves. (Luke 22:24-27)

Luke tells us about their argument in his Gospel.
In Mark’s Gospel, James and John wanted to sit on Jesus’ right and left in His glory.
They had no idea that the place on Jesus’ right and left were crosses.
They had no idea what they were asking.

There is no crown without the cross.
That is Satan’s lie all the time.
Satan promises the crown without the cross.
We have Jesus’ life as our example.

Jesus was probably tired and weary.
The disciples had been with Him for three years and they were still talking about greatness.
They had a worldly idea of greatness; they did not understand true greatness.
Jesus was about to show them.

It was just before the Passover feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” “Then Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well.” Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For He knew who was going to betray Him, and that was why He said not every one was clean. (John 13:1-11)

The disciples thought they could jockey into position.
Determining who was the greatest was of utmost importance in their mind.
Jesus decided to show them by example instead of using words.
The one who is the greatest is the one who serves.

The one who is the greatest is the one who takes on the role of a servant.
The one who is the greatest does no laud it over others.
The one who is the greatest humbles Himself for the sake of another.
The one who is the greatest is the servant of all.

Jesus is our Savior Servant.
Jesus showed His disciples the full extent of His love.
The full extent of Jesus’ love was washing their feet.
Jesus took on the posture of a slave and washed the dirt and filth from their feet.

That is love.
The one who loves is the one who serves.
The full extent of Jesus’ love was washing feet.
We are reminded to go and do likewise.

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  (John 13:14)

I was blessed when I saw this humility and service lived out.
A friend posted a picture that warmed my heart.
It was the foot washing in action.
It was a picture of the epitome of greatness.

A father witnessed the moment and captured it.
Two little boys were doing as Jesus did.
Two little boys were exemplifying greatness through service.
One little boy was washing the feet of his best friend.

The simple caption said:
Tonight at church they did a foot washing to remember the way that Jesus served his disciples the night before he was crucified. This is (my son’s) best buddy washing his feet. It was an amazing moment to witness.

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:15-17)

True greatness.
Washing feet.
Serving others.
Go and do likewise.