The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-02-18

Ambition to be great is not wrong
provided one has proper con-
ception Of greatness, and seeks it
in right way. Every one of us
should be our very best, not for
selfish reasons, but for Gods glory.
The disciples were earnest and
eager to have a place of honor with
the Lord in glory, but even in that
holy purpose they became selfish and
argumentative. Jesus gives several
marks of truly great man.
Greatness Means Being
1. Not First, but Last (9:33-35).
The way of the world is to seek
the place of "No. l man"-to be
looked up to, honored, and served
by all. True greatness takes the last
place, the place of a servant; and 10,
God regards that as the first place.
It is not question of timid diff
fidence, or self-effacement, but q
willingness to take the humble place
in order to serve all.
ii. Not Proud, but Humble (9:36,
81.
"Great" people of this world have
no time for children. Let them be
cared for by servants, teachers, any,
one at all, but not by their "distin-
guished" parents.
But Jesus said that the one who
set aside human pride and received
child with humility of heart and
mind-and in His name-received
the Lord who gave them life-spir-
itual as well as physical-and is in
terested in them; in fact, He is with
them and hence when we receive
them in Ills name, He is thersl
iii. Not Exclusive, but Co-opera-
tive (9:38, 39).
John, quick to apprehend spiritual
truth, saw in the teaching of Christ
concerning the little child the con-
demnation of something he had
done.
The man who casts out demons,
or who gives the disciple of Jesus a
cup of water, in His name-that is,
with true faith in Christ, and in His
power, and for His glory-must be
believer. He may not belong to our
group or circle, he may not speak
! our language, he may not use our
methods, but if he is serving Christ
we should not forbid him or speak
evil of him. You and / may not
like one another's appearance, or
voice, or methods, but let us love
and cooperate with one another for
Christ's sake!
Nv. Not Important, but Approach
able (10:13-16).
Some who think they are great,
pride themselves on being hard to
reach-protected from the rabble
and their problems by secretaries
and servants.
The disciples had built up such an
idea of the Importance of Christ in
their own minds. He had never CIV
en- them any ground for it either
by word or deed.
So the man who is truly great fol-
lows in the Masters footsteps. He
is approachable, kind, has time for
simple folk and little children. If
that isn't true of a man he Is not
great-no matter what he may think
of himself or what others may say
about him.
". Not a Supervisor, but a Servant
(10:42-44).
Christianity is not organized after
the manner of secular government
". 42). Much of the mischief that
has come to pass in the church is
the result Of running the church"
as an organization, when it should
be allowed to develop as a living
organism.
The way up is down. That is al
ways true in the spiritual realm.
The Son of man came not to be
ministered unto but to minister, yea,
to give His very life ". 45). Shall
not those who bear His name walk
the same path of humble self-denial?
Anyone who observes with even a
little care knows that the church of
Jesus, Christ is hindered most seri-
ously by the presence of pride and
selfish ambition. Some people will
not work unless they can rule.
Are there then no Christians who
humbly serve the Lord? Yes, praise
His name, there are many, and
wherever they are found they are
the salt of the earth.
vi. Not Unselfish, but Sacrificial
(10:45).
The world is full Of people who
want to be served. Their little per-
sonalities swell with pride and
pleasure if someone else cringes and
bows, and serves.
There is nothing commendabls
about being served. The great and
good thing is to serve.
The Son of man-Himsef the Lord
Of glory, the One who might have
called legions of angels to do His
will-came mot to be ministered
unto but to minister" That service
meant going about doing good even
when He was exhausted and worn.
But it meant far more than that, for
it took Him to the cross where He
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