Make God Great!

We hear alot about being great. There is a saying, “They won’t let me be great”, which has become quite a cliche. Greatness is defined as being above the norm or average, extraordinary, exceptional, significant. The world has its view of greatness. It usually correlates with worldly gain, status, or success. However, God’s standard of greatness is measured quite differently. It is Christ-centered and not self-centered. Kingdom greatness rests on how great of a foundation we establish by building God’s kingdom here on Earth.

Jesus eludes to this in Matthew 18:1-5, “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? [Jesus] called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me”. The disciples had witnessed great demonstrations of Jesus’ power, helped perform miracles, and knew He was the Son of God. So, they were interested in what status they would have in Heaven and were probably expecting Jesus to reply with a list of qualifications or tasks to complete. Instead, He answered by telling them to come humbly as children.

The disciples were so enamored with what they were doing and what they would get, that they missed the entire point of His response. We often do the same. We get so caught up in performing works for recognition and notoriety that our focus often shifts to self-glorification and not God-glorification, which is not an attribute of the humility Jesus described to the disciples. He wanted them to understand that it was not about whom was doing the work. What mattered most was the spirit and name in which it was done. Was it done in the humility that pointed others to God and brought Him glory?

We need to examine our hearts daily. What is the motivation behind all that we do? God has given us abilities and resources to build His kingdom and not our own. Why do we continue to do so only to end our lives without leaving much legacy? Our goal should be to bring God glory and Him alone.

Being great in God’s kingdom is not about privilege or popularity. It is about sacrifice and denying ourselves. It is about being responsible for bringing others into His kingdom by being the hands and feet of Christ. It is about bringing light and love to a dark, dying world.

If we examine the life of Jesus closely, He was very intentional in making everything He did point back to the Father. In John 6:38, Jesus said, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me”. This is also evident in John 5:19 which reads, “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise”. We are to follow the example of Jesus and reflect the Father in all we do.

There is none like You, O Lord;
You are great, and great is Your name in might.  Jeremiah 10:6

Ultimately, the true definition of greatness lies in trusting and serving the only GREAT one.

When we do so, His name is exalted. We have made His name great.

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:32

Let’s Make Him Great!

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