Casandra Martin

Who’s the greatest? Ask that question at a party or in a group and the debate will begin. We are a people who like rankings. We like to make lists of who’s the smartest, who’s the prettiest, who’s the wealthiest, who’s the most influential, who’s the most popular, who’s a failure, who’s most likely, who’s a rising star, and who’s fading fast. There is a whole book dedicated to who’s the fastest, tallest, oldest, biggest, skinniest, fattest, and has the most hair.

We are fascinated with those kind of rankings because of the importance “Who’s the greatest?” plays in our everyday lives. We are constantly jockeying for position. It starts with who plays with whom on the playground, sits by the “right” people at lunch, and has the highest class ranking. It moves on into job titles, corner offices, portfolio sizes, vacation destinations, square footage, and fashion choices. We always want to know who sits below us and who is right above us in the rankings of life.

“And a dispute arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.” – Luke 22:24

How Jesus answers this question should catch our attention. The cross is close. He knew that a parable wouldn’t teach them the answer. A lesson on prayer wasn’t going to cut it. Even a miracle wasn’t going to help them see the truth. Instead, Jesus “rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet…” – John 13:4-5

Lists disintegrate when the Savior holds my dirty, mud-caked feet in His hands.

My Jesus Resolution today is to stop playing the “Who’s the Greatest?” game. The game is about position, power, and prominence. Jesus tells us that life is about love, humility, and service. I can kill myself trying to “one-up” those around me or I can die to self and let my value, worth, and self-image be defined by Jesus. I don’t want to be a game-player. I want to be a glory-giver. So today, I am going to pick up a towel and imitate the Servant. When someone asks, “Who’s the greatest?” I am going to say, “Jesus.”