XIII) THE LEAST WILL BE THE GREATEST?

In Luke chapter 9, verse 46 we read that Jesus’ disciples began to argue over whom among them would be the greatest. The Greek word translated “greatest” is meizon which means the largest, the biggest, the greatest or most important. As a leader working with and mentoring others it is more likely than not that at some point staff members, vice-presidents, associate managers, etc. will begin to think about their position in the proverbial ladder of success. They will compare office size, salaries, subordinates, and so on in an attempt to evaluate where they stack up and what their chances are for advancing to the next rank. This is natural and perhaps even unavoidable to some extent. However, when these comparisons transform into arguing, jealousy, and pettiness then it is obvious that their concept of leadership is distorted and self-serving.

When Jesus’ disciples went down this road and began to argue Jesus used a child to illustrate the concept of leadership that He had come to model and to teach. Verse 47 tells us that Jesus took a small child and stood the child beside Himself. Notice the contrast. The disciples were asking who was the greatest and to explain greatness Jesus used a small child, He used the least among them to show how to become great.

Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest” (NIV). What?

What does it mean to be the least? How does one become the least? How does becoming least make someone great? These three questions are important for being a great leader. Looking at each of them individually we discover some important truths.

First, what does it mean to be “least among you all”? The word “least” is from the Greek mikros, we get the word micro, as in microscope. It means something very small in size or quantity. As such we understand that it refers to something that does not stand out; it is something that is not obvious or something that commands our attention. Instead, something that is mikros is has to be looked for with some intentionality. For example, there are things around us that we can only see through a microscope. Children in that culture were as numerous as they are today, but children were in the background, they were rarely heard or noticed as someone with any power or persuasion. So to be least implies that we are not seeking to noticed, we are not looking for a stage to perform on or a spotlight to stand in. To some extent, it means that if we are being effective in our role, we may not even be noticed because the program or the division we lead is clicking along with consistency and regularity.

Second, we may ask, how do we become the least? If we are trying to head up a one-man or one-woman show, if we are control freaks who have to make all the decisions and have get all the recognition, then it is likely that we are not the least and therefore, we are not, by Jesus’ definition, “the greatest.” We become least when we are able to work with others, to delegate authority, to recognize the achievements of others and to direct the spotlight upon the people who work with us and for us. We become least by striving to appreciate the greatness of others around us, by promoting them, by equipping and encouraging them to reach their full potential. In short, it is by serving them.

Last, how does becoming least make someone great? It almost seems to run counterintuitive. We live in a culture were the watchword is dog-eat-dog, of climbing the ladder, of trying to stand out, and seeking to be heard and seen. So it might seem that if we are constantly lifting others up and constantly directing attention to others rather than ourselves then we will lose our opportunity to advance. In truth, if we are seeking solely to promote self, then we will only be lifting one person. With respect to our program or division, or our church, how does elevating one person compare to lifting several people, to encouraging and equipping many people? The more people who are encouraged, and who are rewarded for their contributions to the success of the organization, the more motivated they become, the harder they will work, the more dedicated and loyal they will be and the net effect will be much, much greater than if one man or woman is concerned only about him or herself.

When we grasp this concept and put it into practice, when we are sincere in our desire to lift up others, the benefits will eventually come around to us. It may be that one of our subordinates surpasses us, we should rejoice in that. If we have treated them well, if we have been a mentor, and a friend, then their promotion can do nothing but help us. We cannot lose by putting the teaching of Jesus into practice. If you want to be great, then work hard at making others around you greater, by allowing others to stand in the spotlight. Then when success comes to the organization, and when a leader has to be found as the impetus for this success, the people we have promoted will be the ones who point to us, and we will not have to blow our own horn.