Text: Genesis 11:1-9, 12:1-3
“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” —Matthew 20:26
We live in a world that pushes us to make a great name for ourselves. Whether it’s going viral as an influencer on social media, being famous as an artist, outperforming the business competitors, having kids that stand out among their peers, or even having our church become bigger and “better” than others, the temptation to be “great” can be deceptively alluring. It can also be pride-filled and destructive.
In Genesis 11, a multitude of people gathered and said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” Their tower was a symbol of human autonomy, in which the city builders saw themselves determining and establishing their own destiny without any reference to the Lord.
What did the Lord think of these lofty ambitions?
And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:5-9)
As a city, Babylon symbolized humanity’s ambition to dethrone God and make the earth its own (see Revelation 17–18). The Babel enterprise, still very much alive today, is all about human independence and self-sufficiency apart from God. The builders believe that they have no need of God. They are after their own glory. Their technology and social unity give them confidence in their own ability, and they have high aspirations of constructing a tower so great that its top reaches the heavens (11:4). God destroyed their work!
It’s important to note that God isn’t opposed to greatness, but He is against the fleshly drive that motivates us. Contrast chapter 11 with what happens next in chapter 12 of Genesis. The Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” What a difference a chapter makes!
Abraham truly became great—the father of many nations! God blessed him accordingly. We see that it is God’s business to bestow upon His own the measure of greatness He desires. When we try to seize greatness for ourselves instead of striving to be a blessing to others like Abram did, we dangerously miss the mark.
God’s word warns us that there is a downfall for those who live only to make a name for themselves. On the contrary, Jesus taught his disciples that even though the rulers of the Gentiles strive for greatness of power over others, “It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” What if that was our aim this new year, to be a blessing-servant to others instead of chasing after worldly ambitions to make a great name for ourselves?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and choosing me to bear the name of Jesus in this world. Help me to be a blessing to those around me, seeking to bestow great love, great kindness, and great mercy to the glory of Christ. For in doing so to others, I will understand the true meaning of greatness. Amen.
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:
- What is one language you would love to be able to supernaturally speak without ever having to learn it?
- What is it about greatness that has such a strong appeal to us as humans?
- God gave Abram a command to “go” and then He would make his name great, and that he would be a blessing. What is God telling you to “go” and do in 2024?
- What does Jesus-like servanthood look like in your life right now?
- Do you need to repent of any selfish pursuits of greatness in your life?