WE HAVE SEEN that everyone who is in Christ is one of the chosen, and is ordained by that very choice. “As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world” is the true apostolic succession, says Dr. Kramer. The ministry, he points out, is “a servantship.” The real name was dia konos—dia = through, and konos = the dust; the figure of the camel driver who goes through the dust leading the camel while someone else sits on it. Jesus had just pointed out, according to Moffatt, that there were three names He could not trust them with: “Be ye not called ‘Fathers’”—the fathers were those who by reason of age were to be looked up to and obeyed. “Be ye not called ‘[Teachers]’”—the teachers were those who knew and the rest were to listen and obey. “Be ye not called ‘Leaders’”—the leaders were at the head of the procession; the rest were followers.
All three of these names represent attitudes, and all three names and attitudes represent self-assertion. Since it was self-assertion, these names could not be Christianized. These names and attitudes were to be renounced. There was only one name He could trust them with—servants, deacons. This attitude of servants was self-losing in the will of another. The attitude is self-surrender. Only this attitude can be Christianized.
There is a place for ambitious men in Christianity. He who would be “great,” let him be “the servant of all.” He who would be “first,” let him be “the slave of all.” Great is to be the servant; first is to be the slave—a deeper self-giving brings a higher rising. The greatest of all is the Son of Man who gives His life “a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). So this greatness is open to minister and layman alike, for it is the greatness of service, not of position or occupation. Greatness is open to both clergy and laity and on the same terms—both are to be “servants” or “slaves.” If they are, then they rise according to the degree of self-giving.
O Father God, we thank Thee that Thou hast made service, and service alone, the badge of greatness. This makes greatness in reach of everybody, everywhere, in whatever occupation. And that greatness is beneficent greatness for it is service. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: The word “service” will have a new content in it for me, for my surrender to Him will have a new content in it.
