Defining True Greatness

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.” – Mark 10:42-44

I’ve been working through the Gospel of Mark with the Engage Bible Study this year. It’s such rich and challenging stuff!

Mark emphasizes Jesus’ teaching on greatness, and the importance of living into the Kingdom through humble acceptance. Jesus calls disciples to be servants of all, to embrace those whom society devalues and too easily discards, to surrender our self-focused agendas and our ego-building schemes, to let go of false securities, give up any notion of our own goodness and entrust ourselves to God’s grace. Do we recognize just how counter-cultural that is?

For the next 10 months we’re going to hear a lot from presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle who claim to be able to restore America’s greatness. As we do, let’s keep two things in mind. First, how are we defining greatness? And second, no president can make America great. At least not by him or herself. We all own that task as God gives us grace.

So, let’s not wait until Tuesday November 3, 2020 to decide who will make America great. We can begin today. Together.

What do you need to do to make this a great day?

Jeff Marian serves as lead pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, MN.