The Path to Greatness

From the Garden men have been tempted to try to become God. While beholding God is itself a spectacular sight and an immense privilege, for those in the flesh it is not enough to know God, the pull is to be like God. Those who are the seed of the serpent like to imagine themselves kings of the cosmos even though their vanity/conceit is vanity/worthless.

Men are always trying to be God, politically–think tyrants and emperors and black-robed judges, as well as technologically–not just healing and dominion taking which are appropriate–but think about the current full-court press of AI tools and trans-humanism.

All this really makes it stand out, does it not, that while men yearn to be God, God became man.

When Jesus gave instructions on how to be great, He knew what He was talking about. “However would be great among you must be your servant…even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26-28). How much more do you need to learn more to be great like this, or do you know enough to get started? Do you need to wait for the opportune moment before serving, get all your plans together? The path to greatness is difficult, but you have what you need–and it doesn’t require a new app.

When Jesus went to the cross, He was showing that God’s love is humble and giving and great. Image-bearers get to taste such love, and then also reflect it.

Being a king who can make laws at your whim is not as glorious as being loved by a king who gave Himself so that you could be brought close, not banished from His presence.