Who Is the Greatest?

I listened to a podcast once where the discussion was about the argument among Jesus’ disciples. You can imagine the dialogue: James and John claim they’re the greatest because Jesus included them in almost everything he did. Simon is appalled at their arrogance and claims his zealot background gives him the edge among them. Judas objects, however, because it is him whom Jesus put in charge of the ministry money. Finally, Peter speaks up as the elder of the group, and argues that his age makes him number one.

The podcaster observed that so many of the conversations we have with others have this same argument at their core. Our bent seems to be to claim greatness at almost every turn. We express our opinions often as if they put an end to the matter and eliminate all doubt. We proclaim our understanding of the faith as the correct one and often look down on others who view things differently. We are eager to have our say in discussions, to make our points clear to everyone.

What drives us is this need to appear great. We want to be recognized and validated. I believe this is what the disciples were aiming for. This is what I often aim for. What I have begun to realize over the past few years is that what has motivated me is not my security in the thought I am great, but rather the doubt that I am. Thus, much of my attempts to appear great are grounded in insecurity. I suspect this was at the heart of the disciples’ competition with one another. There was Jesus and then everyone else. They couldn’t obviously compare themselves to Jesus, so they had to make comparisons with the others if they were to gain any sense of value for themselves.

What I find extremely fascinating with them, and with me, is that being chosen by Jesus was not enough to validate their worth. That tells me how deeply rooted are our insecurities. Being chosen by the Son of God is not enough to convince us of our value. We still battle acute insecurity.

I just began reading I Corinthians this morning and was reminded that this battle has existed among us for a long, long time. Paul writes to express his displeasure with the Corinthian believers saying,

My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? (I Corinthians 1:11-13)

You can just hear the pride coming from their lips. Are we much different? I have had many conversations over the years where people claim how right they are and how wrong I am in how I view things, whether doctrine, religious practice, or political beliefs. And I have been guilty of the same.

Paul’s response puts this continual striving to be seen as great in a proper perspective,

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord (I Corinthians 1:26-31).

Like the disciples, these Corinthians believers were not chosen because they were great. They were chosen because it was the will of the Lord. The same is true of us. In essence, we’re nobodies apart from the Lord. No one is great but God.

Yet, we have been chosen by the Creator of the universe. We have been given the right to be called his children (John 1:12-13). I think Paul and Jesus were saying that should be enough for us. We are valued and have great worth. We have nothing to prove.

Without anything to prove, we are then free to focus our attention on the Lord—to boast about him—and to live for him. What a difference that could make in all of our relationships. No more striving to prove we are right or on the right side. No need to show off the great things we think we’re doing. No more internal pressure to always make our opinion known to others. Instead, we can find contentment and peace.

Sounds wonderful to me! I will continue to seek this more and more. Care to join me?

© Jim Musser 2023 All Scripture references are from the New International Version, 2011.