Being Great

Matthew 23:11-12 NASB

11 But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

There are two words that are often translated as servant. 

We are all called to serve others and to obey His commands.

CWS LEX:

Those who serve at a feast are doúloi, but those who execute the king’s sentence are diákonoi

diakonos * dee-ak'-on-os * Probably from διάκω diakō (obsolete, to run on errands; compare G1377) 

Becoming One

In marriage, two become one immediately, but the becoming has just begun. Time, growth, commitment, and shared experience are some of the main elements of this continued becoming. The relationship can mature and be beautiful in all its stages, even though it can be ugly at times. 

There are times of bliss and heartache, of love and hate, of giving and selfishness, of loneliness and fulfillment,  and of confusion and peace. Through the seasons that come, the roots grow deeper and the branches of this tree continue to reach into heaven. 

This has much to teach us about becoming one in Christ. 

Shall Be Blessed

Genesis 22:18 ESV

18   In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Likewise we are blessed and bless others when we give heed to the word of God. 

In The Name Of The Lord Jesus

Acts 19:3-7 ESV

3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “ Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “ John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. 7 There were in all about twelve men.

John's baptism was not enough, though repentance is a necessary prerequisite to receiving Jesus. These were earnest men, but not complete in the Spirit. 

They heard the word of the gospel. The Spirit enabled the proclaiming and the hearing. The Spirit accomplishes this through man, made possible by the incarnation of God and sacrifice of the one who called Himself "Son of Man".

There are two baptisms here. They represent the water and blood necessary to be cleansed before God.  

There about twelve men, the same number as Jesus chose to start the church. 

They began to proclaim the word, in the words needed and their meaning.  Tongues of fire are lit by coal from heaven's alter placed on their lips. And so it is. 

Paul

Romans 1:1 ESV

1 Paul,

I find it interesting that Paul's new name has in its roots the idea of an ending or ceasing. After his encounter with the Lord he no longer persecuted the church, but became the apostle to the Gentiles. His old life ceased and a new one began. He was known in a different way, a new creature in Christ.

We are told in Revelation that we will receive a new name.

Παῦλος * Paulos * pow'-los * Of Latin origin; (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973[G3973 παύω * pauō * pow'-o * A primn. verb ("pause"); to stop (transitive or intransitive), that is, restrain, quit, desist, come to an end: - cease, leave, refrain

Must I Do?

Matthew 19:16 ESV

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

This man asked the question about himself, not what we must do, but what must I do. Jesus answered him. It is not so much about what earthly things we give up for God, but that we give ourselves to Him. Sometimes earthly measures reveal whether a heart is given to the Lord, though often not. The heart of the matter rests in the heart. 

He Withdrew

Acts 19:8-10 ESV

8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

Paul again withdrew when he encountered unbelief of the gospel. Jesus marveled at the unbelief He encountered in His hometown. They both went on to proclaim the gospel, taking disciples with them.