It was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer. . . After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied, by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great. . . For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Devotion based on Isaiah 53:10-12

How do you define greatness?

According to one dictionary, greatness is defined as “a person who has achieved importance or distinction in a field.”

Would you define greatness with the name Felix Baumgartner? On October 14, Baumgartner set the record for successfully skydiving from a height of 24 miles above the earth. He also became the first person to break the speed of sound outside of a vehicle. That is pretty great. According to the world, greatness is often displayed through outward acts of glory.

God has a different definition of greatness. Through Isaiah, God defines true greatness with the name Christ Jesus. God’s definition of greatness centers on humble service.

Our sinful flesh doesn’t want to hear this. It screams to be first. But the Bible says, “Pride goes before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18). There is no place in the Christian life for selfish ambition. Selfish desire for greatness separates us from God and casts us under his judgment.

But God doesn’t want anyone to suffer for sin. Instead, it was the Lord’s will to crush Jesus under the weight of our sin and cause him to suffer for our guilt.

When it comes to greatness, no one has achieved greater importance or distinction than Jesus. Felix Baumgartner descended from 24 miles above the earth. Jesus came from heaven itself. Baumgartner broke the sound barrier. Jesus bore the sins of the world, breaking the sin barrier between us and God. Jesus is great, not because he performed signs and wonders, but because he provided our salvation.

Prayer: