Who Is The Greatest?

The Greatest

Who should be greatest?
Like a scorpion flung
Into our midst the notion flamed and stung.
The greatest of the Twelve!
My baser self asked: 'Why
Shoud it not--indisputably--be I?


The Disciple Jesus loved!
Loved in a special way.
I read it in His eyes.
Did they not say
Time and again
'I love thee'?

Then, as time went on
Others remarked upon
The Master's love for John--
Might that not mean
Some greatness yet to be
Would show itself in me?

Thus I mused--till He,
The only great One of our company--
Riseth from supper and before we knew
His purpose--He had put His robe aside
Each act a mute rebuke to all our pride--
And from the dust of old Jerusalem's street
Jesus began to wash His disciples feet.

But when I saw Him kneel,
Then torment seized my soul--
And bitter shame.
I, whom He had so loved
And known by name--
He with the royal lineage
In His face!
And I had let Him fill
A servant's place.

'Twas too late then to say
'Let me--O let me, Lord--I pray
Take towel and basin from Thee
And kneel down
Lower than dust!'

Instead, I had to bear
Touch of His hands--and--worst of all--surprise--
Love, undiminished--
Shining in His eyes.

But when
His task complete He took His seat again--
Like a forgiven child
Whose simple trust had never been defiled,
Weeping I turned--my littleness confessed
To lean my head once more upon His breast.

Fay Inchfawn


Hello Friends. When I read this poem, it brought tears to my eyes. How often do I puff up and think more of myself than I ought? How often do I forget that a great price was paid to redeem me and there is nothing in me that is of any use? That is a humbling statement and not easily received. All-every ounce of-my righteousness is as filthy rags. But-God did not leave me in my sad, pitiful state. He had mercy on me and revealed Himself to me. Of course, I (not being properly taught or discipled-which is still no excuse!) and thinking I was doing the right things...picked up my salvation and started running. And I ran...far, far from where my Father wanted me to go-all the while spouting Christian-ese and trying to keep my filthy rags of self from showing. It must be said, one cannot keep up the farce for long. At some point, the filthy rags show and the flesh creeps out and pride slithers and out of the selfish mire crawls all manner of spiritual filth. Heaping up teachers and having itching ears-anything that puffs up and makes the self smile...whatever it takes for the deceitfully wicked heart to convince me that I'm just fine. Then, when I stopped and looked back over where I had gone, I did not recognize the path I had taken, you see...it was a wide path before me-one that had swallowed me up like a giant fish whose name is Deception.

How easily we can be deceived and even by our own hearts(Jeremiah 17:9)! The Word of God is not meant to pamper the flesh. Did you know that? Almost every preacher you hear today on TV feeds you a "feel-good" teaching. I warn you my Sisters...do not be deceived...the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) I don't know-but I think if I was pierced by a two-edged sword-it would hurt my flesh. Don't add to the Word of God but take it in it's most pure form. If God says something is wrong-don't twist it to make it right and vice-versa. I would remind you of the many deceivers that will come in the last days as mentioned in the Bible and the false teachers-these people will tell you, "Jesus is Lord"-they are manipulators and their only goal is to mix The Word with subtle lies for the purpose of drawing you off the Narrow Path and have you join in the great falling away. Don't get drawn to a side-path-they are not paved by God. His Way is narrow-so narrow and difficult that few find it (Matthew 7:14). There is no other way. You enter at the Narrow Gate and you walk the Difficult Way. Please, walk carefully using His Word as your road map and the Light to your path so you are not seduced off the true and only way to Life.

I thank God, through Jesus Christ, He shows me His Way-His Path. It is not the way of this kingdom of selfishness, but of The Kingdom of His Dear Son. Christ's servanthood shines-brightly-to those who have need of an example. Every person who calls themselves a Christian must remove the robe of the old man of self-effort and selfishness and the flesh and don the servant's robe of the New Man-that Man who was our ensample...the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14). If you read the Gospels and look for Christ's examples of servanthood you will find them aplenty.

I'm sure I'm not sharing anything you don't already know. I only hope to exhort you and remind you of the path of Christ. It is not a path that can be walked in the flesh, it can only be trod by following the leading of the Holy Spirit. I encourage you to get in the Word and see Jesus as the Servant He was and pray to begin to understand how that applies in your own lives. God desires, through Christ-in-us, to radiate from us, to be salt and light in a very, very dark kingdom. The light of a life-dead to self/alive to Christ. His Light slices through the deepest dark and the Father is glorified. Isn't that the whole purpose? Nevertheless, not what I will, but what He wills. Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. (Psalm 25:4 and 5)

Oh Lord, help us to see Your calling on our lives. Not fame or fortune. Not recognition of man, but to become the least in order to truly do Your works. Help us not to stray from Your path. Give us discernment when the enemy would attempt to cloud our vision with deception. Thank you that You do not leave us on our own but You come to us in the form of the Holy Spirit and take our hand and lead us on The Way. Help us to wait on You before we make a move. Amen

God will guide us each moment as we seek to serve those He places in our lives. The greatest in God's Kingdom is the one who becomes the least. Remember, even as you bless others in your home you are glorifying the Father in the home-sweet things. x0