October 21, 2012
How many of you watch NASCAR? In our culture, NASCAR is a big deal right now…and we celebrate the winners. In fact, many people practically worship them. It’s no wonder that pride is such an issue in our culture. But is it a new issue? Not at all. Even the disciples struggled with pride.
Mark 10:35-45 tells us that James and John asked, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” But this is actually (at least) the second time that such an issue came up. Luke 9:46 tells about this conversation among the disciples: An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.
And, this was not the first time that these men, who wanted to be seen as great, had let Jesus down. Remember back in the boat when the storm came up and they were afraid they might drown? After angrily waking Jesus, he calmed that storm. They would also continue to let him down…falling asleep when He had asked them to keep watch at the Garden of Gethsemane and later scattering when he was arrested…even denying him.
Why in the world would they feel that they deserved glory anyway? Well, they probably felt pretty special! After all, Jesus had selected them. They had witnessed miracles and listened to Jesus teach crowds. And Jesus took the time to share with them the meanings of those parables that are complex and difficult to understand.
Also…they had worked hard. Jesus ministry was not easy. They left their homes. They traveled and stayed with strangers. It was physically demanding. They were even given the power to heal and cast out demons. Is it a wonder that they were so proud?
This pride is even easier to understand when you consider that it is a condition that people have battled from the beginning. Adam and Eve were easily swayed once Satan appealed to their pride. “If you want to be like God, just eat from the tree.” David, a man after God’s own heart, let his own glory and his riches lead him to sin. And Solomon, with his riches, fame, and wisdom, had everything that prideful people today still seek…but none of it gave him happiness. He admits in Ecclesiastes that “everything is meaningless.”
So how did Jesus respond to the disciples when they were arguing over their “greatness”? Well, in Luke 9:47-48, it says, “But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, ‘Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.’”
Why did he choose a child to make this point? Children were not valued in that culture as they are valued in our culture. By selecting this child, he was telling them to embrace even those who they perceive to have little to no value as a person. He indicated that they…that we should receive those who are “less”…then he went on to say that we should also receive him if we want to receive God. And finally, he made it quite clear that in order to be “great” and receive “glory”, we must humble ourselves.
In Mark, when James and John were seeking places of glory beside Jesus, he said, “You don’t even know what you’re asking.” He asked them, “Can you drink the cup I drink?” Well, what kind of question is that? What was Jesus’ cup? Do you remember these words from Jesus that were uttered that night in the Garden? Take a look at Luke 22:42. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Jesus’ cup was his crucifixion.
“Can you drink the cup I drink?” And they said, “We can.” And Jesus said, “You will.” And you know what? They did. Each of the disciples died an agonizing death for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Next Jesus asked them, “Can you be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” What did he mean by that? Wasn’t He baptized in the water just like everyone else? Listen to this testimony from John the Baptist…the man who baptized Jesus. (John 1:29-33): “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’”
The Holy Spirit came down from heaven and remained on him. He was baptized with the Holy Spirit.
“Can you be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” Jesus asked. “We can,” they answered. And Jesus said, “You will.” And, guess what. They did. Do you remember Pentecost? After his resurrection and ascension, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, the Companion, to live within every believer…including James and John.
So, did Jesus grant them the places of glory they requested? Jesus told James and John that these places of honor had been prepared for specific people and he did not reveal who would be at his left and right hand.
But this conversation leaked out. I’m not sure who spilled the beans, but word got out that James and John were politicking for positions. And the other disciples were not happy. So Jesus called them together and compared them to rulers who abuse their power. Then, again, he reiterated the value of humility: “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
I began today by asking you about NASCAR. Raise your hand if you’ve heard the name Darrell Waltrip.
In 1981-1982 Waltrip and his team had an amazing two-year period. They won 24 races and 2 championships. They were nearly unbeatable! And Darrell’s pride was out of control. When he would show up at the hotel in the town of the next race and was asked, “Are you here for the show?” Waltrip would answer, “No ma’am, I am the show.” In fact, Richard Petty used to say “That boy might win a lot of races and he may make a lot of money but he’ll never be Nascar’s most popular driver.” The fans hated him and even wore t-shirts that said “Anybody but Waltrip.”
But in 1983, he hit a wall—figuratively, spiritually, and physically. He was knocked completely out and, although he raced in races and continued life as normal, he has no memory of the next couple of weeks. Then in the third week, he “woke up”. And he started searching for the Lord and soon after accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.
He was, and is, a changed man. In his video on the “I am Second” website, he says that success can’t be kept for ourselves. Jesus didn’t keep the glory for himself…he gave it to us! And he quotes the Bible when he goes on to say, “You can do all things through Jesus Christ.”
So what reward did Waltrip get for receiving Jesus, receiving God. Well, it wasn’t another championship. But he was voted most popular driver in 1989 and 1990. When he became a servant, he became great. And great was defined differently than he had anticipated. Waltrip’s advice: “Put Him first in everything you do. Give Him the glory and give Him the praise.”
Giving ourselves the glory when we are simply using gifts from God as we go through this life reveals our selfish and prideful nature. I once heard a pastor say, “Either live your life humbly or God will teach you humility the hard way.”
What about me? Who get the glory in my life?
What about you?
I challenge you to embrace someone this week who needs help just as Jesus embraced children, prostitutes, tax collectors, and others that needed help. Without giving yourself the glory, help them. Maybe that means leaving them a gift card, maybe it means mowing their law…it could just mean leaving a pick-me-up note or car wash tokens. Who is someone in your life who is in need of a servant? Then serve them…and leave an anonymous note that gives God (and not you) the glory.
