Turning Ambition Upside Down
Phillip Pruitt, Instructor---Men's Retreat-2008
The disciples often argued among themselves about who would be the greatest in God’s kingdom. As they followed Jesus, they eagerly anticipated the coming of the kingdom in its fullness, as well as the positions they would command. Hadn’t Jesus promised that they would sit on twelve thrones? They knew how things worked in the world. They understood the hierarchical power structure of the Roman Empire, with its Caesar, governors, proconsuls and Herods. They were also aware of the religious power structure of the Temple, with its chief priest, high priests, priests and Levites. Surely, the kingdom of God would have a similar structure. One day, the disciples James and John had their mother to ask a favor of Jesus: that they might sit at the right and left hand of Jesus in his kingdom (Mt. 20:20-21). Ironically, this favor was asked of Jesus while he was speaking to his disciples about his suffering, death and resurrection; but the disciples’ craving for power deafened their ears to the means by which Jesus would secure and establish his kingdom. However, Jesus took this opportunity to teach his disciples about true greatness. The diagrams below illustrate Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 20:25-27, contrasting the world power structure with the Christian servanthood structure.
World Power Structure: Matthew 20:25 (NKJV)
You know that the
rulers of the Gentiles
lord it over them....
......and those who are great
exercise authority over them
Yet, it shall not be so among you…(v. 26a)
Christian Servanthood Structure: Matthew 20:26-27
you (those who are served)
you (those who are served)
you (those who are served)
...but whoever desires to become
great among you, let him
be your servant....
...but whoever desires to
become great among you,
let him be your servant...
..and whoever desires
to be first among you,
let him be your slave....
The structure for determining greatness in the kingdom of heaven turns the world power structure literally on its head. As the world sees it, the kingdom of God is an upside down kingdom. A person’s greatness is not determined by how many people serve him; but by how many people one serves. The way to greatness is servanthood. Jesus is the supreme example: “…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (v. 27).
Jesus was very straightforward about his own status as a servant. On the evening of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, as he celebrated the last Passover with his disciples and instituted the Lord’s Supper, the disciples again began to argue among themselves about who was the greatest. Jesus asked them, “For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Yet, I am among you as the One who serves” (Luke 22:27). Then, Jesus further demonstrated his servanthood by laying aside his garments, girding himself with a towel, pouring water into a basin and washing the disciples’ feet. When he had finished, he said, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:12b-17).
In beautiful poetic language, the Apostle Paul, in Philippians 2:5-11, captures “the mind of Christ,” and urges his readers to experience a transformation of thought, attitude and lifestyle that conforms to Christlikeness. As we read this passage, let us take note of the humble, sacrificial servanthood modeled in the life of Christ:
v Jesus refused to exploit divine powers and privileges that were rightfully his in order to fulfill his mission (v. 6).
v Jesus accepted a lower (human) form of existence (v. 7).
v Jesus accepted the lowest social status—that of a servant (v. 7).
v Jesus was obedient to divine and unjust human authorities, although it meant dying the most shameful of deaths (v. 8).
This is certainly not the formula for success by the world’s standards, which teaches us that we must grasp for—and take advantage of— every right and privilege that we deem ours in order to accomplish our objectives; that we should strive to have a better, more comfortable existence; that we should seek a higher social status; and that we should exercise our individualism and autonomy without regard to the wishes and demands of others.
By the above standards, Jesus was a failure. However, in response to his humble obedience and sacrificial servanthood, “…God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on the earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (vv.9-11). The way to true greatness is by servanthood.
In Galatians, Paul champions the freedom that Christians have gained through believing the Gospel, while he strongly admonishes those who were tempted to revert back to bondage under the law as a way to salvation and favor with God (and men). However, Paul exhorts his readers to refrain from using their new-found freedom selfishly. “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:13-14 ESV).
The Bible contains numerous paradoxes which capture our attention, challenge our thinking and ways of living, and teach us God’s truth. We become fools to be wise; when we are weak, we are strong; we lose our life to find it; in dying, we live; the first shall be last; the greatest shall be the least, etc. In the above passage, Paul gives us another paradox: We are called to freedom to serve. The New Revised Standard Version states it even more starkly: We are “called to freedom” to “become slaves to one another.” This doesn’t sound like emancipation to us, now, does it? We have been freed from our bondage to sin, the flesh, and the law only to become servants and slaves to one another.
This concept is foreign to the world’s system. And that’s just the point. We are pilgrims and strangers on this earth. Our true citizenship is in the heavenly kingdom; but our life in the kingdom has already begun. Our King laid aside the glory he shared with his Father in heaven to dwell in a human body like ours. Instead of claiming his rights as King of kings, and Lord of lords, he became a servant. He willingly submitted to the will of his Father, and to the will of sinful, misguided men. He freely gave himself to die the most degrading and excruciating death, so that we might have abundant and eternal life.
Jesus says, “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve….” “Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master.” If we indeed call Jesus our Lord and Master, and if our Master became a servant, then we, in effect, are called to be the servants of the Servant. But that’s not all. In following his example, we must become servants to one another.
The Son has set us free indeed—and we have been set free to serve.
Questions to Consider
1. Why is the world power structure naturally appealing to you? What ambitions does it inspire in you?
2. What makes you feel uncomfortable when you look at the diagram of the Christian servanthood structure? Where would you locate yourself on the diagram?
3. Which structure offers you more recognition? Which structure offers you more personal satisfaction and fulfillment?
4. What aversions do you naturally have to servant status?
5. Which diagram better illustrates the structure (or structures) advocated in the contemporary church growth movement?
6. Which diagram better illustrates most denominational church structures?
7. Which diagram better illustrates your local church structure?
8. Paul challenges us with these words: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” What does Paul mean by the “mind” of Christ Jesus? (Philippians 2:5-8)
9. What does it mean for you to have the “mind” of Christ?
10. How would having the “mind” of Christ change the way you live…
at home (with your wife, children, parents, siblings, etc.)?
at work (among your co-workers)?
at school (among your classmates)?
among your friends?
at church?
11. Is the title “servant” degrading you? Why, or why not?
12. Would you give up any of your rights and privileges to serve someone else?
13. Would you give up any of your freedom to serve someone else?
14. How can you be truly free, and the same time be called to serve as Jesus served?
15. What do you think is the Christian’s reward for humble, obedient, sacrificial service?
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