The GOAT
Marcellus and Odessa probably had no idea that when their boy was born in 1942, he would become a world renown figure. But over the years their little boy grew up to become one of the most legendary athletic figures in modern day history. His name was Muhammad Ali. The gold medalist of Olympic boxing would go on to become the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. He would even be known by the nickname the greatest!
Today, we have an acronym that is synonymous with greatness, we simply call them the GOAT! (greatest of all time) Who is the GOAT of this group of musicians, who is the GOAT of these movie stars, who is the GOAT of … fill in the blank. Still today we live in a world that is enamored with who is the greatest.
I am fascinated that even in the gospels we find that Jesus had to deal with questions about greatness. Last Sunday we read in Mark 12 where the question arose of what is the greatest commandment? Even from the time Jesus was born there was conversation of greatness. The most famous story though is found in Mark 9 and Matthew 18, where the disciples were having a private debate concerning who is the greatest? The conversation may have started with which prophet of old was the greatest. Was it Moses or David or even Elijah? Maybe that is where the debate started, we don’t know for sure, but we do know that it seemed to turn to the real question. The root of the question seemed to be which one of the twelve would be seen as the greatest. Yes, even the disciples were sidetracked by the allure of greatness.
We should all strive to become our best at whatever talent God has given us. Becoming great at something shows a desire to honor God with our talents. When the disciples were seeking greatness, Jesus knew they were seeking in the wrong manner. Jesus didn’t rebuke them for desiring to be great… he corrected them for the manner in which they seemed to seek greatness. His reply to their debate was simple. “And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9:35-37.
Become like a child was the response of Jesus. This was opposite of the world’s avenue to greatness. Greatness was not about power but rather serving. Greatness is not found in magnificent works to behold by others. It is found in the unseen lowly times of service to God’s glory alone.
Do you know who gave Muhammad Ali his nickname? It was given to him by the one and only Muhammad Ali. Self-appointed greatness though does not equate in the Kingdom of God. The point is greatness in the world’s book and greatness in God’s eyes are on two different scales. I’d rather pursue the greatness of God by choosing the child like faith, servant’s heart and less of myself. After all, the last shall be first. And when it’s all said and done, I’d rather be a sheep in God’s eyes than a GOAT to the world.
Today, we have an acronym that is synonymous with greatness, we simply call them the GOAT! (greatest of all time) Who is the GOAT of this group of musicians, who is the GOAT of these movie stars, who is the GOAT of … fill in the blank. Still today we live in a world that is enamored with who is the greatest.
I am fascinated that even in the gospels we find that Jesus had to deal with questions about greatness. Last Sunday we read in Mark 12 where the question arose of what is the greatest commandment? Even from the time Jesus was born there was conversation of greatness. The most famous story though is found in Mark 9 and Matthew 18, where the disciples were having a private debate concerning who is the greatest? The conversation may have started with which prophet of old was the greatest. Was it Moses or David or even Elijah? Maybe that is where the debate started, we don’t know for sure, but we do know that it seemed to turn to the real question. The root of the question seemed to be which one of the twelve would be seen as the greatest. Yes, even the disciples were sidetracked by the allure of greatness.
We should all strive to become our best at whatever talent God has given us. Becoming great at something shows a desire to honor God with our talents. When the disciples were seeking greatness, Jesus knew they were seeking in the wrong manner. Jesus didn’t rebuke them for desiring to be great… he corrected them for the manner in which they seemed to seek greatness. His reply to their debate was simple. “And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9:35-37.
Become like a child was the response of Jesus. This was opposite of the world’s avenue to greatness. Greatness was not about power but rather serving. Greatness is not found in magnificent works to behold by others. It is found in the unseen lowly times of service to God’s glory alone.
Do you know who gave Muhammad Ali his nickname? It was given to him by the one and only Muhammad Ali. Self-appointed greatness though does not equate in the Kingdom of God. The point is greatness in the world’s book and greatness in God’s eyes are on two different scales. I’d rather pursue the greatness of God by choosing the child like faith, servant’s heart and less of myself. After all, the last shall be first. And when it’s all said and done, I’d rather be a sheep in God’s eyes than a GOAT to the world.
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