“Whoever desires to become
great among you, let him be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26)
![]() |
Greatest is he who serves |
This story tells best how one of
history’s greatest leaders served a model of humble servitude. A noncommissioned officer was directing the repairs of a
military building during the American Revolution. He was barking orders to the
soldiers under his command, trying to get them to raise a heavy wooden beam.
As the men struggled in vain to lift the beam into place, a
man who was passing by stopped to ask the one in charge why he wasn’t helping
the men. With all the pomp of an emperor, the soldier responded, “Sir, I am a
corporal!”
“You are, are you?” replied the passerby, “I was not aware
of that.” Taking off his hat and bowing, he said, “I ask your pardon,
Corporal.” Then the stranger walked over and helped the soldiers lift the heavy
beam. After the job was finished, he said, “Mr. Corporal, when you have another
such job, and have not enough men, send for your Commander in Chief, and I will
come and help you a second time.” The corporal was thunderstruck. The person
speaking to him was General Washington!
God measures greatness by service. The Lord Jesus has set an
example, for though He was God and worthy of all honor, He “did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).
Indeed, Henry Bosch said, “To be great
in God’s sight, we must serve!”
0 Comments