Greatness in God’s Eyes
"Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom.
Matthew 5:19 - MSG
Greatness. Think of someone who has attained greatness in this life. Think of someone famous. Perhaps an inventor or someone who has given away a lot of money. Think of a great world leader or perhaps a very famous preacher or evangleist. Think of the greatest person who comes to mind and then think this: Greatness in God’s Kingdom has never looked like greatness in ours.
People in our society have a tendency to measure greatness by influence, visibility, or accomplishment. Jesus measures it by something very different: a heart that honors God’s Word in both obedience and teaching. In the doing and the helping others to learn God’s ways. Helping others to become true Followers of Jesus generates greatness in the Kingdom of God.
Look at today’s verse. Jesus says that those who set aside even the “least” of God’s commands become least in the kingdom, while those who practice and teach His commands to others become great. In other words, greatness is not about public impact but about private faithfulness. It’s about the kind of life that takes God seriously in the small things—because it’s always the small things reveal the true attitude of the heart.
Here’s the key; it’s religiosity versus relationship. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day were known for being very religious, but they were constantly ignoring certain commands, especially the ones that required mercy, justice, and humility. Jesus exposed that selective obedience and replaced it with a simple truth: every part of God’s Word matters because every part reflects His heart.
To be “great” in God’s eyes is to live with that kind of integrity. It means you live out the Scripture In your daily lives. It means you don’t try to teach others what you’re unwilling to live out yourself. If we are going to be great in God’s eyes, we won’t chase after the appearance of righteousness while neglecting the substance of it. We won’t try to be great like the world tries to be great. We will live the Word and we will live in kindness and humility.
And here’s the really great news in Jesus’ words: Greatness is not reserved for only the gifted, the influential, or those the world sees as “great.” No, greatness in God’s eyes is available to anyone who chooses to obey God in the everyday, ordinary places of life. Anyone can be great in God’s eyes because greatness is measured by faithfulness, not fame. Greatness is measured by getting outside of ourselves and living the Word, every day, with everyone we meet. We hear it, we live it, we teach others, humbly, how to do the same. That’s greatness in God’s eyes.
A Prayer for Today
Lord, teach me to live out Your Word in a way that will bring honor to You. Shape my heart so that my obedience becomes my joy, not my burden. Help me honor You in the small things, the unseen things, and the quiet choices that form my character. Make me faithful in both doing and teaching Your ways, so that my life reflects Your greatness more than my own.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
