Kingdom Greatness Revealed
Study The Word
Mark 9:33-35 (NIV)
“They came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.'”
Let me share something that a great man of God once taught, because it reorders the way we measure our whole walk with Christ. Many people think that growth in Christ is measured by the amount of fasting, prayer, and service we render unto the Lord in His house. And listen, those things are all wonderful. They are spiritual principles every one of us has to partake in.
But the thing that truly grows and develops us in Christ is how we treat one another. It is our love walk. It is the way we regard other people in our hearts. And beyond even that, there is another key to Kingdom greatness, and it is found in how willing we are to serve, and in the posture of our heart around serving.
Here is the catch: many will miss this, because it seems far too simple. Yet it is truly the key.
Think for a moment about how greatness is measured outside the Kingdom of God. Out there it is all about climbing the ladder of success. It is about endless promotions, being the boss, being the one in charge, having access to and managing large amounts of finances. Now hear me clearly, none of those things are bad in themselves. In fact, the way of the Kingdom of God is prosperity. But so often in the world, becoming great means idolising those spaces and doing whatever it takes to get the power, even by unethical means.
So what does the Lord Jesus Christ say? When we look at the Scriptures, He reveals that the principle for Kingdom greatness is beautifully simple: servanthood. Look again at His words. “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Sit with that word “servant”:
διάκονος diakonos servant – one who serves and waits on others, attending to their needs; the lowly place the world overlooks, and the very seat of Kingdom greatness.
Can you imagine? The place the world climbs over one another to escape is the very place Jesus points to as greatness. And He says it again through another account. In Luke’s Gospel, the disciples were reasoning among themselves about which of them should be the greatest. And Jesus, “perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by Him,” and said, “he that is least among you all, the same shall be great” (Luke 9:46-48). This is Kingdom greatness revealed to us.
Now let me be honest about something. Many people pull up their noses at service. Even if they never say it out loud, in their hearts they believe they are too good for certain things, and there is a quiet snobbishness in it. But the Word lets us know the truth: real leadership is servanthood.
And when we talk about the Kingdom of God, understand that this reaches far beyond the four walls of the church. God’s Kingdom is established in the earth through His children. So wherever you find yourself, in your family, in your workplace, in the corridors of destiny, carry the mentality that you are there to serve. If you are a boss, then you serve those who work under you by providing them with excellent leadership, and by making sure they leave you a better version of themselves than when they first came to you.
So the next time you think about growing in the things of God, do not forget to add two things to the list: growing in your love for people, and learning to excel at servanthood. That is where Kingdom greatness is truly revealed. Hallelujah!
Pray The Word
Heavenly Father, thank You that You have shown me where real greatness is found, not in climbing over others, but in serving them. Forgive me for the moments I have thought certain things were beneath me, and heal any snobbishness in my heart. Teach me to measure my growth in Christ by my love walk and by my willingness to serve, and give me the heart of a servant wherever You place me, whether in my home, my work, or the corridors of destiny. Make me great in Your Kingdom by making me the servant of all, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Speak The Word
Greatness in the Kingdom of God is servanthood, and I gladly take the lowly place. I refuse every trace of pride that says a task is beneath me; I serve others with a willing and honouring heart. My growth in Christ is measured by my love walk and by how I treat the people around me. Wherever God places me, in my family, my workplace, or the corridors of destiny, I am there to serve. I lead by serving, and in serving I am truly great in the eyes of my Father, in the name of Jesus Christ!
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