Palm Sunday -- March 24, 2013

Palm Sunday

Luke 22:24 – 27

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”

"You are not to be like that."

“Greatness” is not a viable category in the kingdom of God. The very classification of “greatness” is built on notions of success and acclaim that are very much rooted in the value system of the world in which we live . . . values that thrive on acclaim, money, education, influence, and so on.

Jesus seems to dismiss “greatness” (at least as a label or a category) in favor of servanthood, serving others, and offering life on behalf of others.

It sounds so mundane, so unassuming. Such is the kingdom of God.

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