Lessons from the Gospels – G.O.A.T. or L.A.M.B.?

We all have opinions on who is the “G.O.A.T.” (greatest of all time) in the sports or politics or music. When it comes to those who walked the earth in human form, hands down Jesus is the Greatest of All Time.

But what about prophets and apostles, leaders and healers, believers and followers? Is there a greatest among us? That is a trick question. Tricky to justify even asking it, let alone try to come up with an answer.

Jesus did name the greatest prophet in Luke 7:28 where He said, “For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a great prophet than John the Baptist…” But, there is a huge “but” after that: … “but he who is the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

The real concern for those of us who might like to be the “goat” in this life is that the path to being great in the Kingdom is actually in the opposite direction from what might seem to be the logical path to earning the Greatest of All Time designation.

The path to greatness is the path of serving others: Matthew 23:11 [NLT] 11 The greatest among you must be a servant.

The path to greatness is the path of being like a child: Luke 9:46-48 [NIV] 46 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest."

And it won’t go well for you, if you are trying to be the greatest: Luke 14:7-11 [NLT] 7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: 8 "When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! 10 "Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, 'Friend, we have a better place for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

Even if you do achieve the level of “goat” now, it won’t last: Luke 13:30 [NLT] And note this: Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then."

Add in the parable where Jesus is seen separating sheep from “goats”, you don’t want to be a goat at all. [See Matthew 25:32-46]

Jesus was, is and always will be the Greatest of All Time. He walked this earth clothed in human flesh and never stumbled nor sinned. We should seek to be as much like Him as is possible with the power of the Holy Spirit working in us to have the desire and the will to live that way.

But rather than seeking to be “G.O.A.T.S.”, we should be seeking to be L.A.M.B.S., like the Perfect Lamb of God, Jesus. John 1:29 [NKJV] The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! That is, we should be seeking to be Loving, Acting, Meek, Blessing-counting, Servants. That includes feeding other of His lambs and He told Peter [See John 21:15-17].

Matthew 23:11 [NLT] 11 The greatest among you must be a servant.

The way to greatness is found in not seeking it at all, but in being His servants in this world – serving Him, feeding His lambs, caring for the needy from all walks of life, accepting “last place” now for the sake of future glory in Him.

Have a great week, my fellow L.A.M.B.S. And feel free to LMK if you can come up with a better acronym for L.A.M.B.S. I’d love to hear it.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the chat or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org