Taking the Shots (Friday Devotional)

A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But [Jesus] said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves.”

- Luke 22:24-26

If you’ve ever talked with my son for more than five minutes, chances are you’ve heard him excitedly say these two words: “basketball hoop!” For whatever reason, nothing captivates him quite like the opportunity to put a ball in a basket, even it’s just crumpled up paper in a trash can. So when the sun finally came out earlier this week after days of cold, dreary weather, I decided it was time for the two of us to head to the park and shoot some hoops.

Sure enough, when we pulled into the parking lot and he saw the basketball court, he could barely contain his excitement, running towards the court as fast as his little legs could carry him. I handed him the ball and fully expected him to shoot to his heart’s content. But instead he surprised me—as soon as I caught up to him, he threw me the ball with a grin and shouted, “Daddy shoot!” And for fifteen minutes he delightedly rebounded and passed for me, never once taking a shot. Every time I offered him the ball he’d shake his head and tell me to shoot, and every missed shot was rewarded with a “so close!” just as every basket earned a cheer. As much as he loves shooting the ball himself, that afternoon he was more than happy to just help me take the shots.

That’s an attitude that can be hard to come by nowadays, when it often seems like the only way to succeed is by putting yourself center stage. On social media, in the news, and at the office you witness example after example of people who demand all the attention, and who seem to be rewarded for doing so. Success, it can appear, comes by taking a shot every time you get the ball.

Jesus gives a different definition of success, saying that true greatness isn’t found in the spotlight, but in service. He acknowledges that the world doesn’t see it that way, that powerful people are always looking for ways to dominate and boast over those they see as beneath them. But rather than buying into the world’s narrative, Jesus rejects it outright, trading it for a kingdom perspective. He encourages us to do the same.

Our culture doesn’t offer many rewards for those who serve when they could be striving, but Jesus says it is these kinds of disciples who are the greatest among us. So in a self-centered world, may your life be cross-centered, more concerned with sacrificing for others than with shoving them aside. The world says to take every shot you get—listen instead to Jesus, and throw some passes.