This sermon was delivered in St Oswald Church in Maybole, Scotland on the 20th September 2009.
Let us pray.
The question has been asked Father as to who is the greatest; and the answer is not what we expected, or what we may want it to be. But it is your answer, an answer that seems to lack power and authority. I therefore ask you Father this morning that we understand this question and answer better, to give us more confidence when we meet the world outside. Amen
Who is the Greatest.
I am the greatest was the chant of Mohammed Ali, the world champion great boxer of the 1970’s. I remember him as Cassius Clay, and as a boy he was my favourite. He not only beat many of his opponents, but he used to boast humourlessly about beating them, long before they got into the ring. Yes three times world champion, he was the greatest to me, then, but his reign did not last.
People nowadays are on a similar mission for themselves, to be the greatest. People in general feel they have to get to the top in order to survive. In the wild it is called natural selection, where only the strongest can survive.
Many people live their lives in exact same way as the animals, but use different weapons to put their rivals down. Men tend to be more physical and straight to the point in making their authority known, whereas women are much more subtle, and more surreptitious in their assault; and from my experience more deadly.
But either way, the natural behaviour for most people is to climb that greasy pole, and get to the top, somehow. But what is the “top”? I can always recognise someone climbing to the top, it by the common response off “I am getting there” when I ask how they are getting on. I always want to ask the question, “Where exactly is there?
Well “there” to some it is an imaginary place where they can rest, and enjoy the spoils of their ill gotten games. It is supposedly a place where there are few problems, and many resources to deal with these problems should they arise. In fact it is a place of pure fantasy, but a place very real to many; a place where even murder has been committed time and time again; to reach that imaginary place.
In the case of a typical man, “there” is a position of power and wealth; and when he finds himself “there”, he find he is referred to as the “King Rat”. Women however tend to hide behind a strong “family”, who will guard her; and who will do anything to defend her; in the position more commonly referred as the “Top Dog”. If you do not know any of these people personally, you are lucky, but I am sure you know of what type of people I speak.
Now with this in mind, we now consider the gospel message this morning, where the disciples have been arguing about which of them is the greatest. This same argument continues on, down to our own day; as I have pointed out, this is a popular argument among adults. It might not be to your full King Rat level, but the struggle is to climb that greasy pole to the “top”.
It is usually not as overt as it is with these disciples, but in our culture today, the argument is generally conducted indirectly; communicated through symbols such as who has the biggest income, the fanciest car, the largest house; and who can manipulate the most without detection; but like the disciples of Jesus, today's adults can be primarily concerned as to who is the greatest.
The disciples were straight forward enough to discuss it directly as they walked together down the road, yet somehow they were ashamed when Jesus asked what they were arguing about. Their uncharacteristically silence was meant to fool Jesus, but it was obvious to him what was going on. Basically each disciple wanted the top position after Jesus died; an imaginary top position of security and strength.
While Jesus was alive, everything was fine, Peter, James and John were able to talk with Jesus about their doubts, and Jesus was teaching them. School was open and it was a time for learning and asking questions. But Jesus told them he was going to die soon, and this set in an emotion of total insecurity; and they were afraid of what was going to happen (to them) after Jesus died.
So naturally there was a battle, well an ongoing argument about the future pecking order. They weren't afraid for Jesus, they were afraid of themselves, they were afraid of each other; and none of them wanted to appear ignorant and pushed to the side; an obvious natural reaction.
Now let us look at this same situation from a spiritual viewpoint, a viewpoint that includes God in the equation. The first thing that is obvious is that none of the disciples knew what Jesus meant when he said he had to die. If they did, they would not have the temerity to argue about superiority.
Jesus had to die, and none of them knew why, and none of them knew what benefits and blessing they would receive after the death of Jesus. The Holy Spirit was not even discussed at this stage. Jesus had to die so that the sins of the world could be forgiven, and that God could freely communicate with man. God’s relationship with man could only be accomplished by the death of his son; who paid the price for the sin of humanity.
The good news depended on the murder and resurrection of Jesus. Without Golgotha and the empty tomb there was no acceptable sacrifice to God for our sins; but like many people today, the disciples just did not get it.
Most people today think Christianity is a weak, wishy washy religion. A religion that bases its beliefs in a bible that is full of contradictions, and a saviour who is like any other dead prophet. No. let me make this clear; the Christian religion is a religion of power, strength and might. Let me give you three examples of this misinterpretation.
Firstly Meekness.
We all know the hymn Gentle Jesus meek and mild. What is meekness, well meekness is grossly misunderstood.
To many, “meekness” suggests the idea of passivity, someone who is easily imposed upon and weak. Since Jesus declared Himself to be meek in Matthew 11:29, some perceived Him as a sissy lovey dovey type of character, telling his followers to be totally spineless. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the ancient Greek New Testament, “meekness” is from the Greek term “praus”, which is derived from two words, one being something wild and powerful, and the other being under control. It does not suggest weakness; rather, it denotes strength brought under control. Some people like to think of it as a wild horse, recently tamed and bridled. In the biblical sense, therefore, it describes one who has channelled his strengths into the service of God.
Secondly, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday, a donkey; a week before he was crucified. I have heard many scholars say, he would have been better to ride into Jerusalem on a large white stallion to give himself presence and stature as the son of God.
No Jesus rode a donkey, but what you do not know was that the Jewish people of the day knew their scripture backwards, and their scripture was very clear that the future messiah was to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. No other animal was more significant at this time, and it was a strong bold gesture made by Jesus when he rode that little donkey into Jerusalem, bolding saying, “I am the son of God. I am the anointed one who has come to save you from yourselves”. What else would have brought such a strong reaction from the Pharisees? They knew their scripture, they were annoyed by him on this donkey, and they plotted to kill him. Fortunately this was in the plan.
My third example is the very conclusion of this sermon, as to who is the greatest. Well Jesus took his disciples, sat down and gave them a lesson once they had settled themselves. Jesus said “If anyone wants to be first, he must be least of all and servant of all.”
This is the exact opposite of natural selection. Instead of aiming for the top, aim for the bottom, and be the servant of all; that is with everyone above you. When Jesus sat down, it was time for serious learning; and greatness he said is recognised in servant hood. Servant hood; that which is in direct contrast to the kingdom of man where the greatest is known by how many people the King Rat has under him.
The kingdom of heaven on the other hand recognizes those who are under the most. You are recognised by God by the amount people you are supporting, not on how many people are supporting you. You therefore have to be very strong, to be the servant of all; and if you are very strong, and are under control, God will strengthen and promote you himself, because you are representing him; and it is his desire that you be strengthened.
Now the natural reaction to this statement of being called a servant is a position of weakness; where everybody simply walks over you. If that is what you are thinking, you have not listened to what I said. Christianity is not a wishy washy religion, but a religion of strength and power. So for Jesus to say that you must be the least to be the greatest is not a statement to make you feel feeble and weak, but a statement to make you feel strong and secure. Jesus knew what he was talking about, with promotion, comes responsibility and accountability; and if you are trying to get to the top for your own means, you are carrying one hell of a burden, a burden that is not of God. If you are supporting people, then those people need and depend on you. If you are lording it over people, those people will rebel at some stage, and they will reject you.
Jesus said my yoke is light, and He is telling us to be a servant of all. Do know think Jesus knows what he is talking about?
Without God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, this servant hood advice is all nonsense, but if you bring the trinity into the equation then this all makes sense. After all, Jesus himself became the least, and who now the name above all names. If you are struggling to get to the top, if you want to be the greatest in the kingdom of man, then you are doing it alone, without the assistance, the power and the grace of God. The way up, is down. Amen.
Let us pray, Father, you are the greatest that is without doubt. That is why we are here this morning to worship you, but the greatest person on earth is unknown to us because we do not know how to measure such a person. The world has its standards and direction, you have yours; and I thank you that your standards, because of Jesus, are totally different, and lead to glory. Father I ask that we learn to easily tell the difference in discerning what spirit motivates a person; as to whether it is for their own ends, or whether it is for your service and glory. Amen
Let us pray.
The question has been asked Father as to who is the greatest; and the answer is not what we expected, or what we may want it to be. But it is your answer, an answer that seems to lack power and authority. I therefore ask you Father this morning that we understand this question and answer better, to give us more confidence when we meet the world outside. Amen
Who is the Greatest.
I am the greatest was the chant of Mohammed Ali, the world champion great boxer of the 1970’s. I remember him as Cassius Clay, and as a boy he was my favourite. He not only beat many of his opponents, but he used to boast humourlessly about beating them, long before they got into the ring. Yes three times world champion, he was the greatest to me, then, but his reign did not last.
People nowadays are on a similar mission for themselves, to be the greatest. People in general feel they have to get to the top in order to survive. In the wild it is called natural selection, where only the strongest can survive.
Many people live their lives in exact same way as the animals, but use different weapons to put their rivals down. Men tend to be more physical and straight to the point in making their authority known, whereas women are much more subtle, and more surreptitious in their assault; and from my experience more deadly.
But either way, the natural behaviour for most people is to climb that greasy pole, and get to the top, somehow. But what is the “top”? I can always recognise someone climbing to the top, it by the common response off “I am getting there” when I ask how they are getting on. I always want to ask the question, “Where exactly is there?
Well “there” to some it is an imaginary place where they can rest, and enjoy the spoils of their ill gotten games. It is supposedly a place where there are few problems, and many resources to deal with these problems should they arise. In fact it is a place of pure fantasy, but a place very real to many; a place where even murder has been committed time and time again; to reach that imaginary place.
In the case of a typical man, “there” is a position of power and wealth; and when he finds himself “there”, he find he is referred to as the “King Rat”. Women however tend to hide behind a strong “family”, who will guard her; and who will do anything to defend her; in the position more commonly referred as the “Top Dog”. If you do not know any of these people personally, you are lucky, but I am sure you know of what type of people I speak.
Now with this in mind, we now consider the gospel message this morning, where the disciples have been arguing about which of them is the greatest. This same argument continues on, down to our own day; as I have pointed out, this is a popular argument among adults. It might not be to your full King Rat level, but the struggle is to climb that greasy pole to the “top”.
It is usually not as overt as it is with these disciples, but in our culture today, the argument is generally conducted indirectly; communicated through symbols such as who has the biggest income, the fanciest car, the largest house; and who can manipulate the most without detection; but like the disciples of Jesus, today's adults can be primarily concerned as to who is the greatest.
The disciples were straight forward enough to discuss it directly as they walked together down the road, yet somehow they were ashamed when Jesus asked what they were arguing about. Their uncharacteristically silence was meant to fool Jesus, but it was obvious to him what was going on. Basically each disciple wanted the top position after Jesus died; an imaginary top position of security and strength.
While Jesus was alive, everything was fine, Peter, James and John were able to talk with Jesus about their doubts, and Jesus was teaching them. School was open and it was a time for learning and asking questions. But Jesus told them he was going to die soon, and this set in an emotion of total insecurity; and they were afraid of what was going to happen (to them) after Jesus died.
So naturally there was a battle, well an ongoing argument about the future pecking order. They weren't afraid for Jesus, they were afraid of themselves, they were afraid of each other; and none of them wanted to appear ignorant and pushed to the side; an obvious natural reaction.
Now let us look at this same situation from a spiritual viewpoint, a viewpoint that includes God in the equation. The first thing that is obvious is that none of the disciples knew what Jesus meant when he said he had to die. If they did, they would not have the temerity to argue about superiority.
Jesus had to die, and none of them knew why, and none of them knew what benefits and blessing they would receive after the death of Jesus. The Holy Spirit was not even discussed at this stage. Jesus had to die so that the sins of the world could be forgiven, and that God could freely communicate with man. God’s relationship with man could only be accomplished by the death of his son; who paid the price for the sin of humanity.
The good news depended on the murder and resurrection of Jesus. Without Golgotha and the empty tomb there was no acceptable sacrifice to God for our sins; but like many people today, the disciples just did not get it.
Most people today think Christianity is a weak, wishy washy religion. A religion that bases its beliefs in a bible that is full of contradictions, and a saviour who is like any other dead prophet. No. let me make this clear; the Christian religion is a religion of power, strength and might. Let me give you three examples of this misinterpretation.
Firstly Meekness.
We all know the hymn Gentle Jesus meek and mild. What is meekness, well meekness is grossly misunderstood.
To many, “meekness” suggests the idea of passivity, someone who is easily imposed upon and weak. Since Jesus declared Himself to be meek in Matthew 11:29, some perceived Him as a sissy lovey dovey type of character, telling his followers to be totally spineless. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the ancient Greek New Testament, “meekness” is from the Greek term “praus”, which is derived from two words, one being something wild and powerful, and the other being under control. It does not suggest weakness; rather, it denotes strength brought under control. Some people like to think of it as a wild horse, recently tamed and bridled. In the biblical sense, therefore, it describes one who has channelled his strengths into the service of God.
Secondly, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday, a donkey; a week before he was crucified. I have heard many scholars say, he would have been better to ride into Jerusalem on a large white stallion to give himself presence and stature as the son of God.
No Jesus rode a donkey, but what you do not know was that the Jewish people of the day knew their scripture backwards, and their scripture was very clear that the future messiah was to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. No other animal was more significant at this time, and it was a strong bold gesture made by Jesus when he rode that little donkey into Jerusalem, bolding saying, “I am the son of God. I am the anointed one who has come to save you from yourselves”. What else would have brought such a strong reaction from the Pharisees? They knew their scripture, they were annoyed by him on this donkey, and they plotted to kill him. Fortunately this was in the plan.
My third example is the very conclusion of this sermon, as to who is the greatest. Well Jesus took his disciples, sat down and gave them a lesson once they had settled themselves. Jesus said “If anyone wants to be first, he must be least of all and servant of all.”
This is the exact opposite of natural selection. Instead of aiming for the top, aim for the bottom, and be the servant of all; that is with everyone above you. When Jesus sat down, it was time for serious learning; and greatness he said is recognised in servant hood. Servant hood; that which is in direct contrast to the kingdom of man where the greatest is known by how many people the King Rat has under him.
The kingdom of heaven on the other hand recognizes those who are under the most. You are recognised by God by the amount people you are supporting, not on how many people are supporting you. You therefore have to be very strong, to be the servant of all; and if you are very strong, and are under control, God will strengthen and promote you himself, because you are representing him; and it is his desire that you be strengthened.
Now the natural reaction to this statement of being called a servant is a position of weakness; where everybody simply walks over you. If that is what you are thinking, you have not listened to what I said. Christianity is not a wishy washy religion, but a religion of strength and power. So for Jesus to say that you must be the least to be the greatest is not a statement to make you feel feeble and weak, but a statement to make you feel strong and secure. Jesus knew what he was talking about, with promotion, comes responsibility and accountability; and if you are trying to get to the top for your own means, you are carrying one hell of a burden, a burden that is not of God. If you are supporting people, then those people need and depend on you. If you are lording it over people, those people will rebel at some stage, and they will reject you.
Jesus said my yoke is light, and He is telling us to be a servant of all. Do know think Jesus knows what he is talking about?
Without God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, this servant hood advice is all nonsense, but if you bring the trinity into the equation then this all makes sense. After all, Jesus himself became the least, and who now the name above all names. If you are struggling to get to the top, if you want to be the greatest in the kingdom of man, then you are doing it alone, without the assistance, the power and the grace of God. The way up, is down. Amen.
Let us pray, Father, you are the greatest that is without doubt. That is why we are here this morning to worship you, but the greatest person on earth is unknown to us because we do not know how to measure such a person. The world has its standards and direction, you have yours; and I thank you that your standards, because of Jesus, are totally different, and lead to glory. Father I ask that we learn to easily tell the difference in discerning what spirit motivates a person; as to whether it is for their own ends, or whether it is for your service and glory. Amen
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