I Am the Greatest

Scripture: Revelation 22:16 – “I, Jesus, have sent mine Angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”

You don’t have to be a boxing fan to have heard the statement, “I am the greatest” and know who said it. Most people, even young people know who Muhammad Ali is. Every chance Ali got he told the world that he was not only great but pretty. He was nicknamed the “Louisville Lip” and many considered him a loud mouth, often boasting and taunting his opponents. He was the greatest! Ali, started boxing at age 12 and by age 18 he had won well over 100 amateur bouts including the International Golden Glove heavyweight title and Olympic gold in the light heavyweight category. At 18 years old, Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, decided to become a professional boxer. Four years later, at age 22, after winning Olympic gold and his next 19 fights as a professional, Clay had earned the right to fight Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title. He was not expected to win; but he did. For 21 years the world heard, “I am the greatest” from Ali. Thinking back, Ali did not have to boast about how great he was, he could have let his hands do the talking. Ali was not meek or humble. Jesus, on the other hand is meek (gentle but not a pushover) and humble (thought of Himself less but didn’t think less of himself). He did not have to yell, “I am the greatest” for the world to know He was great. Jesus, allowed His actions to speak. Furthermore, Jesus was not strikingly beautiful, as some pictures depict him, He was average looking. Therefore, when people followed Him, they weren’t following Him because He was handsome. He wasn’t rich so they didn’t follow Him because He had riches. Jesus was followed because of who He was and what He was…great. Jesus is also followed because of what He has to offer. What Jesus offers is worth more than money even though it could cost you your life. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Son of God but equal to God (John 10:30) … He is the greatest, but He didn’t have to shout it --  He just is. The Bible tells us that He was a man tempted in all things just like us, yet He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15)…He is the greatest but He didn’t have to tell it --  others did. Jesus did great things but He did them for God’s glory and not His own… He is the greatest, and He modeled the life He expects His followers to live. Although, Jesus did not yell, “I am the Greatest”, like Ali, He did tell the world who He was, and it is those things that make Him great!            

Jesus said:
•I am the bread of life (John 6:35)
•I am the light of the world (John 8:12)
•I am the door of the sheep (John 10:7-9)
•I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
•I am the good shepherd (John 10:14)
•I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)
•I am the true vine (John 15:1)

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, as we grow spiritually, we are to look more like You. Your Word tells us that if we say we are with Christ we should walk the way He walks (1 John 2:6). Your Word tells us that we should be imitators of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). We are to look different from the world. Thank You, Lord, for showing us how to be great and humble. Thank You, Lord for Your perfect example. Forgive us, Father, when we brag and boast like we are better than others. Forgive us, Father, when we do for the glory of others instead of Your glory. Thank You, Lord, for grace and mercy. Thank You, Lord, for Your Son Jesus the Christ, who died for our sins and rose so that we might live. In the matchless name of Jesus, Amen.

(by Patricia Towns)