Greatest of All Time
“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (1)
Muhammed Ali once uttered this iconic phrase in reference to his (and the world’s perception) of his boxing skills. It wasn’t really a new assertion. This gospel text is just one such historical example. Since then, many people have used (or at least quietly thought) this of others or even themselves. Today, the acronym GOAT (Greatest of All time) has even become a mainstay of our cultural conversation.
One of the biggest problems I have with this gospel narrative is that, after the disciples were caught having this GOAT debate, Jesus tells them (or is reported to have told them) how to actually become “the greatest”. Personally, I don’t think Jesus ever wanted people to consider this earthly attribute. He led by an example of service to others with a goal of being the most “Gracious” of all time . . . except without the concept of rank connoted by the word “most”.
More often than not, when I open a door to enter a building, whether it be at a store, a restaurant, or a school, I check to see if someone is following me. It doesn’t matter what their gender, age, or ethnicity may be, I was taught that common courtesy is to hold the door open until these people have entered, or at least pass the open door to the next person. I try not to do this for praise or expectation of reciprocal gain at the next doorway. I try not to become upset if this causes me to lose my place in line. I try to do this simply as an act of grace.
Grace, humility, kindness, and forgiveness are like points on a compass. They give us direction and help us navigate the labyrinth we know of as life here on earth. God has been gracious to us so that we can be gracious to others.
Go in peace! Share your grace!
David Krueger
(1) Scripture (Mark 10:43-44) taken from the Holy Bible, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.