The G.O.A.T.

Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word.  It’s exactly the opposite of what you would think.  It’s truth and life.  It’s God’s Way verses man’s way – one of the most important truths to ever comprehend in life.  It is the key to fulfilling your purpose.  Every once in a while, the sports conversation turns to ‘Who’s the greatest of all time.’  Everyone seems to have an opinion.  Wilt Chamberlain thought He was – one hundred points in a game is a strong argument.  Kareem Abdul Jabbar still holds the record for most points scored.  Most players – of the greatest basketball era (from Magic, Bird, Isaiah, Dominique, Dr. J) agreed that no one comes close to Michael Jordan – 6 finals, 6 rings, 6 finals MVPS.  Some fans now – those under thirty years old – seem to think that Lebron James is the greatest of all time.  Actually, it’s just a game, it probably doesn’t really matter, it’s merely a matter of opinion.  But really, who was the G.O.A.T.?  It’s funny how we humans want to be the greatest, or want to argue who was the greatest.  You don’t get a trophy, there’s no money in it, no monetary compensation, it’s a matter of esteem... people’s need for recognition.  So who’s great?  And who’s the greatest?  Thankfully the argument is now over.  Most people may not realize it.  But Jesus weighed in on the conversation… just to settle it forever.  Here’s what happened.  Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem with his disciples  Mark 10:33 – “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law.  They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him.  Three days later he will rise."  Not long after (the very next verse) James and John came to him and asked – Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”  "What do you want me to do for you?"  “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left…”  Instantly the other disciples were offended, and the first G.O.A.T. debate began.  It takes a moment to gather your mind around.  Jesus just told them He was going to be arrested, spit on, flogged, and killed, and the disciples are arguing about this?  Are you kidding me?  Could there be a greater ‘tone-deaf’ example in human history?  Did you hear what Jesus just said?  And that’s what you are thinking about?  Jesus had to be shaking his head, “with friends like these… who needs enemies.”  But He went ahead and settled the argument once and for all, for all of our benefit.  Verse 42, Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be the G.O.A.T. must be the slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Jesus just settled the G.O.A.T. conversation by changing the criteria.  It’s not those who score the most, it’s those who serve the most – not points, assists.  (Maybe not Jordans, Jabbars, Malones, or Chamberlains, it’s Magic Johnsons, Jason Kidd’s, and John Stockton’s).  Jesus said what makes you great is how you serve.  In His kingdom the first will be last, and the last shall be first.  So how are you doing today when it comes to greatness?  The truly great, don’t worry about G.O.A.T. conversations, they just serve – so others can shine, so the love of Jesus can shine through them.  Praying that you will ask God who He wants you to serve today, and what He wants you to do - to benefit them.  It’s why PiVAT before dinner is so important, getting His plans instead of yours.  Yours will serve you, His will serve others.  He will tell you how to serve today – and if you do, you will really point to the only G.O.A.T. the Name above all Names, the One who laid down his life, so we could live - forever.  Praying that you will serve well in how He leads you today…
 
Love you all,
dad   ​