As you read through Matthew 18-20, there is a constant contrast between what Jesus says is great in the Kingdom of Heaven with what is seen as great in the world. Jesus consistently makes a point that worldly greatness is diametrically opposed to heavenly greatness. In the world, we love prestige, power, riches, rights, and personal achievements that gain esteem from others. In contrast, Jesus values serving, neediness, vulnerability, sacrifice, and humility. The world is a place for the pursuit of comfort and ease while those in the Kingdom of Christ face persecution and suffering. The Kingdom of Christ values greatness as that which reflects the glorious humility of Jesus in saving us through enduring God’s wrath in our place. Paul tells us that his life imitates these contrasting values, and in this way gives us a picture of a 180 degree transformation that we should expect when we know salvation.
In Philippians 3, Paul tells us about his pre-Christian life. He was esteemed for his heritage, position, and power as a persecutor of the church. Philippians 3:4-7 – “Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.” In addition to this, Paul makes it clear that these very attributes that we read in Philippians were attributes of ignorance compared to what is truly glorifying in Christ. He says to Timothy, “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief…” (1 Timothy 1:12-13).
As Paul sees the reality of his former life as an unbeliever, he considers what is valued most by the world to be what is now valued least by him. Philippians 3:7-8 – “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
In great contrast to what Paul no longer values as a Christian, we find Paul confronted by men in Corinth who wish to bring worldly values of greatness into the church. In 2 Corinthians Paul seems to be accused of not having the ability to command great crowds, earn money, and grow in popularity. The accusing protagonists in Corinth who seem to be known as “super apostles” seem to argue that Paul is to be rejected because he shows none of the greatness that we so often evaluate by worldly standards. Paul’s answer is to say that his greatness (even though he does not like to talk this way) is found in God’s power working through his weakness.
2 Corinthians 11:16-30 – “I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. 17 What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool. 18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. 19 For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! 20 For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. 21 To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of – I am speaking as a fool – I also dare to boast of that. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one – I am talking like a madman – with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”
If you were to ask Paul to evaluate his life and tell you what he thought was greatest and least, he would not value the way the world does. Paul would value his own name, position, power, heritage, esteem from men, or abilities to be least in his life. His greater value would be God’s glory that sustained him as he experienced continuous suffering as a slave of the Suffering Servant, Jesus.
Look at your life. What does your greatness valuation system look like?