Daily Thought for Wednesday 29th April 2026
“… whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:27-28
The greatest way
Peter Wood
MAGA (“Make America Great Again”) is a phrase we’ve heard aplenty in these past few years, the catchiness of an acronym and the linguistic pushing out of the chest combining in potent and fearful fashion.
It has appeared that the way to achieve this has been through exerting military and economic power over others; through the power of money to deny any truths that don’t suit the agenda; by blaming others for any misfortune; and by telling people how wonderful we are – and things are! – because of us.
Being great in the eyes of the Kingdom of Jesus is not like this. It is rather the opposite. Jesus teaches in this passage that greatness is rather being a servant to others, being a slave to others. For servants and slaves, waiting and noticing are important virtues: waiting to act at the right time and noticing when something needs doing. Rarely they will give their own opinion, yet through loving service they promote love and kindness. Such greatness is about being unseen and disregarded. It is about helping others be all that they can be. (Philippians 2:3-4) thereby co-creating a community of love.
The other disciples, we read, were “angry” when they heard the discussion that had taken place between James and John. Instead of rebuking anyone Jesus presents the way of a self-giving God, thereby setting out the posture for Christian living. This is not easy, cheap or pain free. Some may call this way naive or weak. But as Christians we are called to live in community where humility, mercy, listening and kindness are the hallmarks of greatness.
We can know peace in the midst of trials and tribulations because our trust is in God and not in this world.
Shall we pray?
Generous God, grant us courage and strength as we wait, notice, listen and serve within the community in which have set us. Amen.
Peter Wood is Mission Officer at the Presbytery of Lothian & Borders.