THIS IDEA OF servanthood and greatness alone coming through that servanthood fits in with the character and genius of the Christian faith. The Son of Man becomes the greatest of all through laying down His life a ransom for many—that sets the pattern of greatness for God and man. Any attempt to find greatness through popes and prelates and ecclesiastical position and power is an alien type of power imported into the Christian faith. It is always corrupting, for it is alien to the faith it purports to lead. Jesus was specific at this point: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matt. 20:25–26). “It shall not be so among you”—and yet it has become so among us. Greatness is measured, more often than not, by ecclesiastical position instead of through servanthood. Hence there is an inner—and an outer—struggle for position, place, and power, and the ministry or servant-hood, both lay and clerical, is corrupted by this self-assertive struggle. It is all outside Christ instead of in Christ.
I was recently in a city filled with religious leaders, lay and clerical. The one whom I will remember most and longest was a lawyer—a lawyer who reconciles 40 percent of the people who come to him for a divorce. This Christian lawyer loves his work for white and black clients, for he prefers reconciliation to recompense. He loses money on reconciliations, but he gains in inner joy and outer stature. The servant of all becomes the greatest of all. He was pointed out to me as the outstanding Christian layman of that city. He fulfilled the law of greatness.
O Jesus, my Lord and Savior, Thou hast set a standard by which men everywhere rise and fall. If they fulfill it they rise, if they break it they fall. The sum total of reality silently decrees it. Thou hast interpreted reality to us. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: I ask for no recompense—I ask only for reconciliation for myself and others.
