The Commands of Jesus
“Let the greatest…”
“Love one another…”
Luke22:24-27 and John 13:34 (15:12)
Greatness
- Jesus spoke about greatness on several occasions.
- Mark 9:33-35 (Luke 9:46-48)
- Matthew 18:1-4
- Matthew 20:20-28
- Matthew 23:1-11
“Benefactors”
- Benefactors see themselves benefiting society through their power and authority.
- However, Jesus does not want his followers thinking this way; perhaps because these people think to highly of themselves.
- He reveals that God measures greatness differently.
“Greatest…become as the youngest”
- The elder brother brought to mind a “great” position that is not earned.
- However, according to God, greatness is not an inherited position.
- Jesus reveals greatness is earned through attitude.
“Leader…as one who serves”
- Leaders are considered great, by the world, because they tell others what to do.
- However, Jesus reveals that leaders are in their position not to tell but to serve.
- Leaders encourage people to do by setting an example to follow.
Who is the greater?
- By posing such a question Jesus reveals that the “great” would not be great without the ones who serve.
- Jesus uses himself as an example of how the truly great are those who serve.
“Love one another as I have loved…”
- Often described as the firstborn, denoting an authoritative position, Jesus chooses to not exercise such authority independently. – Phil 2:5-8
- He submitted to the will of the Father, and out of love, served man by taking the punishment of sin upon himself.
- Greatness, according to God, depends on this type of sacrificial love.
The reason for the body of Christ
- Perhaps it is with this understanding that Paul penned 1 Corinthians 12 (22-26).
- Paul claims this is so “that there may be no division in the body, but the members may have the same care for one another.”
Transformation Expectation
- God wants us to quit considering each other great by the standards of the world.
- God wants us to consider each other great according to the way we love one another.
- Be great by loving as Jesus loves, and honor those who love the way he loves by considering them great.